John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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673. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to confirm the status of illness benefit payments to a person (details supplied). [2668/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has tried to make contact with your office a number of times in order to ascertain the correct PPSN for this customer. They were unable to trace the customer accurately without the PPSN. Should you wish to re-submit this Question with the correct PPSN we can provide you with an answer.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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674. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will be made in relation to an invalidity pension appeal (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2697/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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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 Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, decided to disallow the Invalidity Pension appeal of the person concerned on 25th October 2024.

Under social welfare legislation a decision of an Appeals Officer is generally final and conclusive. However, it may be reviewed by an Appeals Officer under Section 317 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 in the light of new evidence or new facts.

On 12th November 2024, further medical information was received pertaining to the appellant and as a result a Section 317 Review of the appeal officer's decision was opened on this date. Once a decision is made on this Section 317 review, the person concerned will be notified in writing.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.