Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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100. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason that the decision on the appeal for a disability allowance by a person (details supplied) has not yet issued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59555/21]

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 3 June 2021.  It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection.  These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 21 June 2021. 

The appeal was referred on 16 August 2021 to an Appeals Officer who, after consideration of the matter, has decided to hold an oral hearing in this case in the near future.  The person concerned will be notified of the arrangements for the hearing. Hearings are currently being conducted online or by telephone. 

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.