Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 145: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a carer's allowance appeal will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [16166/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that, in accordance with statutory requirements, the relevant Departmental papers and comments of the Department have been sought in this case. On receipt of its response the case will be 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.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 146: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when an appeal will be finalised regarding the rate of disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [16167/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an appeal for the person concerned has not been registered. However, because of the large number of appeals currently being lodged, there is a backlog in the Office in registering appeals. If the appeal has been submitted in recent weeks the appeal will be registered and acknowledged in due course. The Chief Appeals Officer has assured me that all appropriate measures are being taken to address this backlog in registration. 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 147: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding a farm assist appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; the way means from the farm was assessed against this person when they have shown a loss for the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16168/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all the evidence, including that adduced at an oral hearing, disallowed the appeal of the person concerned on the grounds that the means assessment, derived from farming, off-farm self-employment and the harvesting of seaweed, arrived at by the local office was fair and reasonable. The means derived from farming were based on the gross output from the farm less the necessary expenses. This decision is now being reviewed by the Chief Appeals Officer and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome of this review when 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.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 148: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a jobseeker's allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be finalised; the way this person was assessed as earning €190 per week from a farm which consists of nineteen acres of poor quality land when the person has no herd number or stock and does not receive any direct payments from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16169/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The claim for farm assist, by the person concerned, was disallowed by a Deciding Officer of the Department on the grounds that his means exceeded the statutory limit. The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that, following receipt of the relevant Departmental papers including comments on the grounds of appeal, the appeal from the person concerned will be 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.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 149: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a carer's allowance appeal will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [16170/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned has been referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing in the case. The person concerned will be notified when the necessary 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.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 150: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a child benefit appeal will be resolved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; when the child benefit payment will be reinstated to this person. [16172/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that, in accordance with statutory requirements, the relevant Departmental papers and comments on the grounds of appeal in the case of the person concerned have been sought. When received, the appeal in question will be 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.

Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 151: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding an appeal for disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16174/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned has been referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing in the case. The person concerned will be notified when the necessary 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.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 152: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding an application in respect of a person (details supplied) in Limerick. [16193/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The person concerned was refused Disability Allowance by the Deciding Officer following an assessment by a Medical Assessor of the Department who expressed the opinion that he was unsuitable for Disability Allowance. An appeal was opened and in the context of that appeal, his case was reviewed by a second Medical Assessor who also expressed the opinion that he was unsuitable for Disability Allowance.

I am informed by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that, in the light of this second medical opinion, that office decided to afford him an opportunity of setting out the complete and up to date grounds of his appeal including any further medical evidence in support of his appeal, by letter dated 1st April 2010. On receipt of his response the relevant papers will be requested from the Department and the appeal will then be 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.