Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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167. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason a freedom of information request from a person (details supplied) in County Wexford has delayed the appeals process; if this case can be postponed and assigned to the appeals officer according to the date received; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32764/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The person concerned was disallowed Farm Assist by a Deciding Officer of the Department on the grounds that his means exceeded the allowable limit.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned together with the relevant Departmental papers were received by that office on 1 May 2015. A Freedom of Information request was received from the person concerned on 31 July 2015. which was partly granted and papers released on 17 August 2015. The case was then referred to an Appeals Officer on 16 September 2015 who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the 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.