Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

85. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will be made on a carer's allowance appeal (details supplied) in respect of a person in County Kerry. [17050/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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 am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all the evidence, disallowed the Carer's Allowance appeal of the person concerned by way of summary decision on the 7 November 2023.

Under Social Welfare legislation, the decision of the Appeals Officer is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed by an Appeals Officer in the light of new evidence or new facts. I am advised that the person concerned subsequently submitted additional evidence and the appeal was assigned to another Appeals Officer to review the appeal. The Appeals Officer will make a review decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.