Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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920. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will examine an appeal by a person (details supplied) and the salient points made therein. [17389/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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An application for State Pension IQA by the person concerned was disallowed by a Deciding Officer of the Department on 20 February 2023.  A further review by a Deciding Officer was disallowed on 07 March 2023.

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 informed by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that there is no record of an appeal from the person concerned being received in that Office.   

In the normal course, an appeal against a decision of a Deciding Officer must be made within 21 days of the decision being notified.  Appeals received outside of this time limit may be accepted at the discretion of the Chief Appeals Officer. 

In light of the Deputy's question, the Appeals Office has now written to the person concerned seeking grounds of appeal and an explanation for the failure to submit an appeal within the prescribed timeframe.  On receipt of the response, it will be determined whether a late appeal can be accepted.  Should a late appeal be accepted it will be referred to an Appeals Officer.