Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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86. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an appeal in the case of a person (details supplied) in respect of an alleged overpayment; if their appeal can be expedited given the stress that this ongoing case is causing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55677/22]

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.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 9 September 2022. 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. I understand that these papers will be forwarded to the Appeals Office in the very near future. When these papers 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 necessary, hold an oral appeal hearing. This appeal will be given priority consideration by the Appeals Office.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.