John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 358: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite a decision on an appeal in respect of a person (details supplied). [18534/11]

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 21 March 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 18 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.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 359: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if disability allowance will be approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; if the appeal for supplementary welfare allowance will be considered as a matter of urgency as they are experiencing extreme financial hardship; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18535/11]

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, disallowed the disability allowance appeal of the person concerned by way of summary decision. The person concerned has been notified of the Appeals Officers decision.

Supplementary welfare allowance is administered on behalf of the Department by the Community Welfare Services Division of the Health Service Executive (HSE). Appeals against decisions on individual entitlements are made in the first instance to the HSE's designated Appeals Officer.

The HSE has advised that a decision on the appeal against the decision to refuse payment of weekly supplementary welfare allowance to the person concerned will be made in due course.