Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 279: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if an oral hearing will be given in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17526/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Office having fully considered all the evidence, disallowed the appeal of the person concerned. Notification of the Appeals Officer's decision was issued on 25th November 2010.

It is noted that the assessment which the Deputy has submitted in respect of this case contains new and current information.

Following the submission of additional evidence the Appeals Officer has agreed to review the case. The person concerned will be contacted when the review of her appeal has been finalised.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 280: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason mortgage relief and assistance has not been granted in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if the appeal now lodged will be expedited and approved in view of the hardship being experienced by the family. [17528/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that the persons concerned were refused mortgage interest supplement as they have sufficient household income to meet their mortgage interest costs. The persons concerned lodged an appeal with the HSE Appeals Office where the decision to refuse mortgage interest supplement was upheld.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 281: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when an oral hearing will be arranged in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if she will expedite a decision. [17537/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing in this case.

There has been a very significant increase in the number of appeals received by the Social Welfare Appeals Office since 2007 when the intake was 14,070 to 2010 when the intake rose to 32,432. This has significantly impacted on the processing time for appeals which require oral hearings and, in order to be fair to all appellants, they are dealt with in strict chronological order. In the context of dealing with the considerable number of appeals now on hand, the Department has made a further 9 additional appointments to the office in recent weeks.

While every effort is being made to deal with the large numbers awaiting oral hearing as quickly as possible, it is not possible to give a date when the person's oral hearing will be heard, but she/he will be informed when arrangements have been made.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 282: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if an appeal for carer's allowance will be approved without delay in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow. [17539/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 21 June 2011. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Social Welfare Services on the grounds of appeal be sought. When received, the appeal in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 283: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will accommodate a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny, relative to the payment of their rent allowance and arrears now overdue based on their written appeal to the local office; and if she will expedite a response. [17540/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that the payment of rent supplement to the person concerned is currently suspended while his entitlement is being reviewed. The Executive will contact the person directly when the review is complete.