Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 section 307

Appeals to circuit court

Section 307 provides for appeals against social welfare decisions to be referred to the Circuit Court where the Chief Appeals Officer certifies that the normal appeals process is inadequate, or where the appeal is against a decision made by a bureau officer.

• Where the Chief Appeals Officer certifies that the ordinary appeals procedures are inadequate, the appellant must submit the appeal to the Circuit Court within 21 days of receiving the direction to do so.
• Since the commencement of section 7 of the Social Welfare Act 2019, all appeals against decisions made by bureau officers must be directed to the Circuit Court within the same 21-day timeframe.
• The Circuit Court's jurisdiction depends on whether the appellant resides in the State: if not, the case is heard where the original decision was made; otherwise, it is heard in the circuit where the appellant lives or carries on business.
• The appellant must notify the deciding officer that the appeal has been submitted to the Circuit Court, and no further appeal lies from the Circuit Court's decision.