Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 189: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when an appeal will be heard in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [19780/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that Office. 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 of Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 190: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9; if their case will be appealed with new medical data provided; if payment is continuing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19782/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Payment of illness benefit to the person concerned was disallowed by a Deciding Officer following an examination by a Medical Assessor of the Department who expressed the opinion that she was capable of work. An appeal was opened and in the context of that appeal, her case was reviewed by a second Medical Assessor who also expressed the opinion that she was capable of work. Additional medical evidence provided did not alter the opinion of the Medical Assessor.

I am informed by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that, in the light of this second medical opinion, that office decided to afford her an opportunity of setting out the complete and up to date grounds of her appeal. On receipt of her response the relevant departmental 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 functions independently of the Minister of Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 191: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if he will expedite a social welfare appeal hearing in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath regarding a refusal of their application for carers allowance as this appeal was submitted on the 9 July 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19787/10]

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 informed when arrangements have been made.

There has been a 46% increase in the number of appeals received by the Social Welfare Appeals Office in 2009 when compared to 2008, which in itself was 27% greater than the numbers received in 2007. There has been an increase of a further 46% in the number of appeals received in the first quarter of 2010. These increases have caused delays in the processing of appeals. In order to be fair to all appellants, oral hearings are arranged in strict chronological order. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister of Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 192: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal against the decision to refuse an exceptional needs payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19823/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Due to staff action currently being taken in the HSE, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.