Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent)
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500.To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a person (details supplied) will receive an answer from the Social Welfare Appeals Office, as this appeal is pending since June 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25555/24]

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 the appeal by the person concerned was disallowed by an Appeals Officer on 9 April 2024.

An Appeals Officer is currently carrying out a review of this decision under Section 317 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 following the submission of additional medical evidence. The Appeals Officer will make a summary decision on the appeal based on documentary evidence presented or, if necessary, hold an oral hearing.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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501.To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will be made on an appeal (details supplied). [25556/24]

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 a Supplementary Welfare Allowance appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 7 June 2024. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection. Once these papers have been received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on documentary evidence presented or, if necessary, hold an oral hearing.

A State Pension Non-Contributory appeal by the person concerned has not been submitted to the Appeals office.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.