John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 178: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if an appeal for domiciliary care allowance will be processed and approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [14134/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 7 February 2011. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 12 March 2011, and the appeal will be referred to an Appeals Officer, in due course, who will decide whether the case can be decided on a summary basis or whether to list it for oral hearing.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Brendan Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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Question 179: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an appeal against a decision not to award a carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14142/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an oral hearing of this case took place on 17 February 2011. Following the hearing the Appeals Officer referred the case to a Social Welfare Inspector for further investigation into the means of the person concerned.

The case has recently been referred back to the Appeals Officer who is now considering the appeal in the light of all the evidence submitted, including that adduced at the oral hearing. The person concerned will be notified of the Appeals Officer decision when the appeal has been determined.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 180: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when an appeal on disability allowance will be decided in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14146/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the disability allowance claim of the person concerned was disallowed following an assessment by a Medical Assessor who expressed the opinion that he was medically unsuitable for the allowance. An appeal was registered on 13 May 2011 and in accordance with the statutory procedures the relevant department papers and the comments of the Social Welfare services on the matter raised in the appeal have been sought. In that context, an assessment by another Medical Assessor will be carried out.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social and Family Affairs and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.