Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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950. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an oral hearing can be facilitated regarding the recently submitted appeal for invalidity pension in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1314/24]

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 11th January 2024. 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.

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. The Appeals Officer will consider the Deputy's request for an oral hearing in this context.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.