Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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563. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9577/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all the evidence, disallowed the appeal of the person concerned by way of summary decision on 21 August 2020.

Under social welfare legislation the decision of an Appeals Officer is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed by an Appeals Officer in the light of new evidence or new facts. I am advised that the person concerned subsequently submitted additional evidence and that the Appeals Officer agreed to review the appeal on foot of this additional evidence. The Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, has now decided to allow the appeal of the person concerned. The person concerned was notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision on 19 February 2021.

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 trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.