Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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173. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23881/17]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that a Supplementary Welfare Allowance (Rent Supplement) appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 11 May 2017. The Appeals Officer will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.

I am further advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that a Jobseeker’s Allowance appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 13 March 2017. 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. According to information available from the Department, the case in question has been referred to a Social Welfare Inspector for further investigations. When these papers have been received from the Department, the case in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration.

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.