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 registered in that office on 13 February 2023. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 22 March 2023 and the case was referred to an Appeals Officer on 13 April 2023.
The Appeals Officer has confirmed that the appeal is scheduled to be concluded and a decision issued within the next 2 weeks.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.