Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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603. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if time will be granted to allow a person (details supplied) to gather medical evidence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43096/19]

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.  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.  When these papers have been 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.

I wish to advise the Deputy that the person concerned should submit any new evidence he may have in support of his disability allowance appeal as soon as it is available. The appeals system is flexible and fair, allowing for further information to be submitted by the appellant up to and including at an oral hearing, if the Appeals Officer decides that an oral hearing is appropriate in the case.  Any additional evidence obtained by the person concerned will be considered by the Appeals Officer. 

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 trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.