Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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1142. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an appeal for a respite care grant by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3962/20]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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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.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 8 January 2020. 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 trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.