Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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610. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the file of a person (details supplied) will be sent to the Social Welfare Appeals Office from the invalidity pension section; the reason for the delay in sending the file to the appeals section in view of the fact that the delay is causing undue financial hardship to the person; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47320/19]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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Following a review of the decision of 25 June 2019 to terminate entitlement to Invalidity Pension for the gentleman in question. an appeal submission was prepared and submitted to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) for determination on 23 October 2019.  The SWAO will inform the gentleman directly of the outcome of the appeal.  

My Department is committed to providing a quality service to all its customers. This includes ensuring that applications are processed and that decisions on entitlement are made as quickly as possible. The desire to process appeals quickly has to be balanced with the competing demand to ensure that decisions are consistent and of high quality and made in accordance with the legislative provisions and the general principles of fair procedures and natural justice.  At all times every effort is made to ensure that appeals proceed as quickly as possible.

Anyone experiencing financial difficulties while awaiting a decision on a review or an appeal of any social welfare payment should contact their local Intreo Centre and enquire as to their entitlement to a payment under the Department's Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme.  

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.