Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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330. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will expedite a disability allowance appeal for a person (details supplied). [43835/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that a Disability Allowance appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 12/09/2023. 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. These papers were returned to the Appeals Office on 29/09/23 and 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 hearing. The Appeals Officer will be notified of your request.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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331. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when an appeal for disability allowance is expected to be finalised in the case of a person (details supplied), given the appeal was submitted ten weeks ago; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43911/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered on the 05 July 2023. 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.

These papers were received on 20 July 2023 and the case was assigned to an Appeals Officer on 26 July 2023, who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if necessary, hold an oral appeal hearing.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.