The Social Welfare Tribunal

The Social Welfare Tribunal is a special statutory appeals system for people who are refused Jobseeker's Benefit or Jobseeker's Allowance because of an industrial dispute at their place of employment. It can provides a second level of appeal after an appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. However, you can also appeal directly to the Tribunal without first going through the Social Welfare Appeals Office.

The Tribunal is made up of a Chairperson and four ordinary members.

The members of the Tribunal are appointed by the Minister for Social Protection and must consist of an independent Chairperson, two members nominated by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) and two by the Irish Business and Employer's Confederation (IBEC).

The legislation governing the operation of the Social Welfare Tribunal is contained in sections 331 - 333 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation), Act, 2005.

See more details on how the Social Welfare Tribunal works.