Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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108. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an appeal for an invalidity pension in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16162/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, 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 27 May 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. The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that these were received by that Office on 29 June 2020 and referred to an Appeals Officer on 8 July 2020. The Appeals Officer dealing with this case will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required and if Covid-19 restrictions allow, hold an oral hearing.

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.