Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 July 2024
163. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if appeal for invalidity pension, disability allowance, disability payment in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30070/24]
View answerThe 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 there is no record of any appeal by the person concerned having been received by that Office.
The time period within which an appeal may be made is up to 21 days from the date of the notification of the decision. The decision on the invalidity pension claim of the person concerned issued from the Department of Social Protection on 2 May 2024. Any appeal now made will be outside the time allowed to appeal the decision on the claim and will not be accepted.
However, if there are good reasons that explain why the appeal was late, then the person concerned may provide the Social Welfare Appeals Office with these reasons for consideration. There is no right to an appeal after the 21 days has expired and any appeal allowed after that time is at the discretion of the Chief Appeals Officer.
It is also open to the person concerned to request a review of the decision on the claim from the Department at any stage.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
