Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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186. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision regarding their farm assist given the fact that this Deputy was advised via correspondence from her Department on 20 July 2015 that the social welfare inspector would have the case finalised by the end of that week; the reason for the delay in this case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31013/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 20 May 2015. 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. In the case of the person concerned, this involved further investigations by the Social Welfare Inspector. These papers have been received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 8 September 2015 and the case has been 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.

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.