John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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290. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if he will review an application for a jobseekers' allowance in respect of a person (details supplied); his views on the fact that a bank account held in the UK which was closed seven years ago and was rarely used by the person when they lived in the UK, should not be part of the application process in view of the fact the person lives here and has tried to get details from the bank without success. [2654/17]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeals in respect of Jobseekers Allowance and Supplementary Welfare Allowance from the person concerned were referred to an Appeals Officer who has decided to convene an oral hearing in this case.

Every effort will be made to hear the case as quickly as possible and the appellant will be informed when arrangements for the oral hearing have been made.

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.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.