Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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Question 315: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [15230/11]

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 23 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 11 May 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.

Anne Ferris (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 316: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when an appeal for mortgage relief will be decided upon in view of the fact that the application has been under appeal for nearly a year and all documents have been provided by the banking institution; if her further attention has been drawn to the fact that this family has received a 90-day warning letter of repossession from the bank mentioned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15240/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that the person concerned was initially refused mortgage interest supplement in 2009 as, in the opinion of the Executive, the amount of mortgage interest payable exceeded the amount the Executive considered reasonable to meet her residential needs. The person concerned appealed the decision and the Social Welfare Appeals Office awarded mortgage interest supplement as an exceptional measure in December 2009 for a 12 month period.

The HSE further advised that on the 3rd November 2010 when the 12 month period expired the person concerned appealed to the HSE Appeals Office to continue payment of mortgage interest supplement. The HSE Appeals Office requested additional information from the person concerned on 1st March, 3rd May and again on the 17th May. The Appeals Office received a reply from the person concerned on the 30th May and has advised that no decision has been made on her appeal to date.

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 317: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15242/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer having fully considered all the evidence, has allowed the appeal of the person concerned. The person concerned has been notified of the decision. 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.