John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 307: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if an application for supplementary allowance will be approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if she will expedite a response. [15157/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that an application for an exceptional needs payment made on 26 May 2011 was refused as the need was not established. The HSE further advised that the person concerned did receive an exceptional needs payment in April 2011 in respect of household bills.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 308: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if domiciliary care allowance has been or will be approved in respect of persons (details supplied); and if she will expedite the matter. [15166/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that two appeals by the person concerned were registered in that office on 5 February 2011 and 10 March 2011 respectively. 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 appeals will be referred to an Appeals Officer, in due course, who will decide whether the cases can be decided on a summary basis or whether to list them 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.