Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 181: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if an appeal has been opened on behalf of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [45068/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal has been received in this case and, in accordance with statutory requirements, the person concerned has been requested to forward his grounds of appeal.

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 182: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be approved and awarded jobseeker's allowance. [45074/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The person concerned applied for jobseeker's benefit on 24th July, 2009. Before a decision could be given on his claim, his entitlement to credited social insurance contributions had to be investigated. That investigation has now been concluded. His claim is currently with a Deciding Officer for decision. A decision will be made as soon as possible and he will be notified of the outcome.

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.