Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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1251.To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will be made on an appeal by a person (details supplied) against a refusal of disability allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31308/24]

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 am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all the evidence, disallowed the appeal of the person concerned by way of summary decision on the 10th January 2024.

Under legislation, the decision of an Appeals Officer is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed under section 317 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act, 2005 in the light of new evidence or new facts. I understand that a request for such a review was made to the Chief Appeals Officer on 11th March 2024. This matter has been assigned to an Appeals Officer, who will review the original appeal decision in conjunction with the new evidence or facts presented and, if necessary, hold an oral hearing.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.