Ned O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 141: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will arrange an appeal hearing in respect of illness benefit for a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [32652/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that, in accordance with statutory requirements, the Department was asked for the documentation in the case and the Deciding Officer's comments on the grounds of the appeal. In that context, an examination by another Medical Assessor will be carried out. The person concerned will be notified when arrangements for the examination have been completed. The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 142: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position of a carer's allowance appeal by a person (details supplied) in County March. [32660/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that the relevant Departmental papers and comments of the Department have been received and the case has been referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration. The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that the appeal from the person concerned has been referred to an Appeals Officer, who proposes to hold an oral hearing. The person concerned will be informed when arrangements have been made. The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 144: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position of a carer's allowance application for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7. [32666/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having considered all the available evidence, including that adduced at an oral hearing, partially allowed the carer's allowance appeal of the person concerned.

Under Social Welfare legislation, the decision of the Appeals Officer is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed by the Appeals Officer in the light of new evidence or new facts. The Appeals Officer has reviewed this case following the submission of further correspondence from the person concerned. However, the Appeals Officer considered that the correspondence contained no new facts or fresh evidence which would warrant a revision of his decision. The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 145: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when an illness benefit appeal will be finalised for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [32673/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that, following receipt of the grounds of appeal from the person concerned, the relevant Departmental papers and comments of the Department have been sought. On receipt of its response the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer for early consideration. The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 146: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the status of an application for carer's allowance lodged in October 2008 by a person (details supplied) in County Sligo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32690/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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An application for carer's allowance by the person concerned was received on 30 October 2008 and was disallowed on 9 January 2009 by a Deciding Officer of the Department on the grounds that the person being cared for was not so invalided as to require full-time care and attention. Following this decision, the person concerned submitted additional medical evidence on 12 February 2009 and 1 May 2009. The additional medical evidence was referred to the Chief Medical Advisor for his opinion. The Chief Medical Advisor expressed the opinion that the evidence did not affect the previous findings of the Medical Assessor. The person concerned was informed of this decision on 14 May 2009.

An appeal was opened on 08 July 2009, and I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that, in accordance with statutory requirements, the relevant Departmental papers and comments of the Department were sought in this case. These have now been received and the case has been referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration. The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.