Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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213. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an appeal for a one-parent family payment in the case of a person (details supplied); when the appeal will conclude; if an oral hearing will be required; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19223/20]

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 1 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 is still awaiting a response from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection and is contacting the Department again on the matter.

I am advised by the Chief Appeals Officer that, due to the current Covid-19 restrictions, in person oral appeal hearings have been suspended since 13 March 2020. The resumption of oral hearings will be kept under review in light of government advice on easing restrictions. However, appeals work continues and appeals are currently being determined on the basis of written submissions. In some cases it has also been possible for Appeals Officers to progress appeals by way of telephone calls and email on issues relating to an appeal (which might otherwise have been ascertained the course of an oral hearing) and bring the matter to a conclusion.

The Chief Appeals Officer has also advised that the Office is exploring the use of video technology for appeal hearings. Among the issues being considered are what is the most appropriate in technological solution and the types of appeal cases that would be potentially suitable for this approach. Any future use of video technology would need to ensure the maintenance of fair procedures, confidentiality and data protection.

When the papers in relation to this appeal 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 and if Covid-19 restrictions allow, hold an oral appeal 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.