Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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719. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an appeal submitted (details supplied) on foot of the suspension of a guardians' payment; if an oral hearing is being organised to consider further information from the appellant, or if her Department would consider such a step; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47590/23]

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 02 August 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 29 August 2023 and the case was assigned to an Appeals Officer on 21 September 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.