John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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18. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if an appeal in respect of an application for invalidity pension by a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny will be expedited and approved as they applied on 29 June 2015 and lodged their appeal on 25 August 2015. [7986/16]

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 3 March 2016. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When these papers have been received from the Department, the case in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral appeal 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.