Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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268. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if an appeal will be reopened in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo in view of the new evidence supplied; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52819/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision on 20^th September 2013. Under Social Welfare legislation, the decision of an Appeals Officer is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed in the light of additional evidence or new facts.

I am advised that the additional evidence submitted by the Deputy on 15^th October has been forwarded to an Appeals Officer who has agreed to review the case. The person concerned will be contacted when the review of his appeal has been finalised.

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.