Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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177. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding allowances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30899/15]

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 including that adduced at the oral hearing, had decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned on 5 August 2015. Under Social Welfare legislation, the decision of the Appeals Officer is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed by the Appeals Officer in the light of new evidence or new facts, or where there has been a change of circumstances which has come to notice since the date of the Appeals Officer's original decision.

I am advised that the person concerned has submitted additional evidence and that the file has been recalled from the Invalidity Pension section. The file will be submitted to the Appeals Officer for further consideration. The person concerned will be contacted when the review of his appeal has been finalised.

If the person’s means are insufficient to meet his needs, he should contact his local Community Welfare Service regarding his possible entitlement to Supplementary Welfare Allowance.

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.