Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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393. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will ensure that an oral hearing is afforded to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare in respect of an application for disability allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7961/14]

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. The Appeals Officer decided this appeal by way of a summary decision as it was considered that an oral hearing of the case was not warranted. The person concerned was notified of the Appeals Officers decision on 22^nd November 2013.

The decision of an Appeals Officer is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed in the light of new evidence or new facts. The appeal, in this case, was closed on 22^nd November 2013 and the person concerned has not been in contact with the Social Welfare Appeals Office since that date.

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.