Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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138. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if and when an oral hearing will be facilitated for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare in respect of a pending appeal under the invalidity pension scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1436/16]

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 22 October 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. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 8 December 2015 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.

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.