Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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124. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite a jobseeker's allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18365/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the jobseeker’s allowance appeal from the person concerned has been referred to an Appeals Officer. Every effort will be made to determine the case as quickly as possible.

The person concerned was in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance up until 12^thFebruary 2014 when it was disallowed. This disallowance was upheld on appeal. However I have been advised that the Chief Appeals Officer has now revised the Appeals Officer’s decision in relation to her supplementary welfare allowance entitlement on the basis that there was an error of law. The Department was made aware of the Chief Appeal’s Officer’s revised decision on 16th April 2014 and the supplementary welfare allowance should be reinstated without delay.

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.