Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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37. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason an appeal in respect of a maternity benefit for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo was referred by the social welfare appeals office back to the maternity benefit section of her Department when it was the scope section of her Department which determined that the applicable class of pay related social insurance in this case was not insurable under the Social Welfare Acts; if this appeal will be dealt with; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26685/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The person concerned was refused maternity benefit on the grounds that her employment is not insurable under the provisions of paragraph 1 of Part 2 of Schedule 1 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 and that PRSI class M applies.

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that following the decision, in this case, a Scope (Insurability) appeal by the person concerned was registered. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection.

These papers have been received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office and the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.

I am also advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that in conjunction with the Scope (Insurability) a maternity benefit appeal has now been registered by that office. Both appeals will be dealt with concurrently by the same Appeals Officer.

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.