Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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96. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite a supplementary welfare allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11093/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that representations, from the Deputy, on behalf of the person concerned, were received on 24 February 2014. The representations and attachments, in this case, have been accepted as grounds of appeal and a supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) appeal was registered on 3 March 2014.

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.

Every effort will be made to have this appeal determined as quickly as possible

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.