Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 635: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of appeals currently outstanding in each category of social welfare payment on a county basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14978/07]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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Statistics on the numbers of appeals outstanding in each category of social welfare payment are not held on a county basis. On 31 March 2007 there were a total of 5,624 appeals outstanding on a national basis. Details are not maintained on a county basis. A breakdown of those cases by scheme type is given in the table.

Work is in progress in these cases at the various stages of the appeals process. 2,884 are receiving attention in the Appeals office, 2,322 are in my Department for further enquiry while 418 cases are awaiting responses from appellants. The social welfare appeals system is a quasi-judicial one and the procedures in place for determining appeals are designed to ensure that each case receives full and satisfactory consideration. While improving processing times remains a major objective of the Social Welfare Appeals Office, it is necessary at all times to ensure that progress in this regard is achieved in a manner which is not in conflict with the demands of justice and the requirement that every appeal be fully investigated and examined on all its merits.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 636: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a further appeal was heard in relation to a claim for carer's allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and the outcome of this appeal. [15031/07]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The person concerned appealed to the Social Welfare Appeals Office against the decision to disallow an application for carers allowance. Having considered all the available evidence, including that adduced at an oral hearing, the Appeals Officer decided that the person being cared for was not so incapacitated as to require full time care and attention and disallowed the appeal.

The person subsequently furnished a further medical submission for consideration by the Appeals Officer. Having sought the views of the Chief Medical Adviser, the Appeals Officer determined that this information did not constitute new evidence which had not already been supplied. In the light of this, the Appeals Officer considers that there is no new evidence and that, as the appellant has already been afforded an oral hearing, a further oral hearing would not serve any useful purpose.

Under Social Welfare Legislation decisions in relation to claims must be made by Deciding Officers and Appeals Officers. These officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in regard to making such decisions.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 637: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a carer's allowance appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be finalised in view of the serious and chronic illness of the care recipient. [15032/07]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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I have nothing further to add to the reply given on 3 April 2007. The oral appeal hearing will be held in this case as soon as it can be accommodated. The person concerned will be informed when arrangements have been made. Under social welfare legislation decisions in relation to claims must be made by Deciding Officers and Appeals Officers. These officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in regard to making such decisions.