Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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385. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection for an update on the review/appeal for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7953/24]

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.

I have been advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that the appeal for the person concerned has only recently been received in the Office. Once the appeal is registered the person concerned will be notified, and the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought, which is a statutory requirement of the appeals process.

When these papers are received from the Department the case will be assigned 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.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.