Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that there is no record of a Disablement Benefit appeal having been received from the person concerned. However a Disability Allowance appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 30^th September 2013. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When these have been received from the Department, the case in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral appeal 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.