Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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530. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a decision on a disability allowance appeal has taken so long (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43096/24]

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 referred to an Appeals Officer on 18th October 2024, who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if necessary, hold an oral hearing.

The desire to process appeals quickly has to be balanced with the competing demand to ensure that decisions are consistent and of high quality and made in accordance with the legislative provisions and the general principles of fair procedures and natural justice.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.