Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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459. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a person will hear the outcome of an application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29127/24]

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 received in that office on 27 March 2024. 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. When these papers have been received from the Department, the case in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if necessary, hold an oral appeal hearing.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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460. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the full social welfare entitlement due to a person (details supplied) will be paid immediately; the reason for the break in their payment; if arrears are due; and if she will expedite the case. [29131/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Disability Allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under the age of 66. This disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, means test and Habitual Residency conditions.

I can confirm that the person concerned is currently in receipt of Disability Allowance effective at the maximum weekly rate of €232.00 and in receipt of the Living Alone weekly allowance of €22.00.

Following a notification received that the person concerned had been incarcerated, his DA was stopped with effect from 13 February 2024 .

Following confirmation that the person concerned was released from prison, his full DA was reinstated with effect from 27 March 2024. The first of his reinstated payments issued to his nominated post office on 30 April 2024. A letter notifying the person concerned of this decision issued on 26 April 2024.

An overpayment has been raised for the period 31 January 2024 to 13 February 2024, as during this period it was deemed there was no entitlement to DA. The person concerned was notified of the decision and advised of their entitlement to request a review and/or to appeal the decision on 26 April 2024.

I can confirm that a request for an appeal has been sent to the Appeals Office. The person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome of the appeal by the Appeals Office in due course.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.