Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 section 313

Power to take evidence on oath

Section 313 empowers appeals officers to take evidence on oath and to administer oaths to witnesses during appeal hearings.

• An appeals officer hearing a matter may take evidence on oath.
• The officer has the power to administer oaths to persons attending as witnesses.
• This authority applies to any matter properly referred to the appeals officer.
• The provision ensures that witness testimony at appeal hearings carries the same weight and accountability as sworn evidence in other formal proceedings.