Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 section 314

Notification to persons to attend and give evidence or produce documents at appeal hearing

Section 314 gives appeals officers the power to compel individuals to attend hearings and produce documents, and sets out the consequences for non-compliance.

• An appeals officer can issue a written notice requiring a person to attend at a specified time and place to give evidence or produce relevant documents.
• The notice may be delivered personally or sent by prepaid registered post to the person's home address or place of business.
• Failure to attend, refusal to give evidence, or failure to produce documents is a criminal offence carrying a fine of up to €1,500 on summary conviction.
• Where a person fails to comply, the appeals officer may apply to the District Court for an order compelling attendance or production of the documents.