Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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126. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of oral hearings for pension appeals under the Covid-19 lockdown; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6166/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.

I am advised by the Chief Appeals Officer that it is currently not possible to facilitate in-person oral hearings due to Covid-19 restrictions.  However, the Social Welfare Appeals Office commenced conducting online appeal hearings on 11 November 2020.  In addition to that development, the Office has been conducting hearings via telephone, where suitable.  Appeals also continue to be determined on the basis of written submissions.  The position in relation to the conducting of oral hearings is being kept under review by the Chief Appeals Officer.

Since November 2020, online and telephone oral appeal hearings have been conducted in respect of a range of social welfare schemes, including pensions. 

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.