Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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1235. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an application for a disability appeal by a person (details supplied). [34741/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I am informed by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an appeal was registered on 20^thJune 2017 and in accordance with the statutory requirements that office has contacted the person concerned and asked her to set out the complete grounds of her appeal. On receipt of her response the relevant papers will be requested from the Department of Social Protection and the appeal will then be referred, in due course, to an Appeals Officer for consideration.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister of Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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1236. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an application for a disability appeal by a person (details supplied). [34742/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an appeal was registered on 22^ndJune 2017 and in accordance with the statutory requirements, that office contacted the person concerned and asked him to set out the complete grounds of his appeal.

The grounds of appeal were received by the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 03^rdJuly 2017 and in accordance with the statutory requirement of the appeals process the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer have been sought. When these papers are 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.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.