James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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1230. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an invalidity pension appeal by a person (details supplied); the average waiting time on an appeal for this payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35993/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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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 5th April 2018.  It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection  These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 17th August 2018 and the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.

The average processing time for invalidity pension appeals for the period January to the end of July 2018 was 25.3 weeks for appeals requiring an oral hearing, and 23.6 weeks for appeals which were determined by means of a summary decision. 

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Employment Affairs and 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.