Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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336. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal against the withdrawal of invalidity pension in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Sligo; if the appeal will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40454/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 20 September 2013, who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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337. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an invalidity appeal in respect of a person (details supplied). [40459/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 27 August 2013. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 18 September 2013 and the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.

If the means of the person concerned are insufficient to meet her needs she should contact Community Welfare Services regarding her entitlement to supplementary welfare allowance pending the determination of her appeal. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.