Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
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1998. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied) regarding contributory pension payments. [26961/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The person concerned was awarded a reduced rate state pension (contributory) by a Deciding Officer of the Department on 28th February 2014. I am informed by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that the person concerned did not submit an appeal of this decision until 09th March 2017.

In the normal course, an appeal against the decision of a Deciding Officer must be made within 21 days of a decision being notified. Appeals received outside of this time limit may be accepted at the discretion of the Chief Appeals Officer. This limit is not rigidly enforced but in view of the length of time which has elapsed since the person concerned was notified of the decision and in the absence of any explanation for the failure to submit an appeal within the prescribed timeframe, I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an appeal could not be accepted at this late stage.

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.