Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 section 304

Appointment of appeals officers

Section 304 provides for the appointment of appeals officers by the Minister to handle appeals under the Social Welfare Acts.

• The Minister has the power to appoint appeals officers for the purposes of the Act.
• There is no fixed limit on the number of appeals officers who may be appointed — the Minister appoints as many as he or she considers necessary.
• An appeals officer may be appointed in respect of any provision or provisions of the Act, allowing flexibility in the scope of their role.
• Each appointment is held "during the pleasure of the Minister," meaning the Minister may terminate the appointment at any time at his or her discretion.