Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Question 159: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the case of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and when this person will expect to be called for an oral hearing. [21462/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing in this case.

There has been a very significant increase in the number of appeals received by the Social Welfare Appeals Office since 2007 when the intake was 14,070 to 2010 when the intake rose to 32,432. This has significantly impacted on the processing time for appeals which require oral hearings and, in order to be fair to all appellants, they are dealt with in strict chronological order. In the context of dealing with the considerable number of appeals now on hand, the Department has made a further 9 additional appointments to the office in recent weeks.

While every effort is being made to deal with the large numbers awaiting oral hearing as quickly as possible, it is not possible to give a date when the person's oral hearing will be heard, but s/he will be informed when arrangements have been made.

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.

Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Question 160: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the case of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and when this person will expect a decision. [21463/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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An application for carer's allowance from the person concerned was received on the 18 May 2011. On completion of the necessary investigations of all aspects of his case a decision will be made and he will be notified directly of the outcome.

Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Question 161: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the case of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and when this person will be called for an oral hearing. [21464/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing in this case.

There has been a very significant increase in the number of appeals received by the Social Welfare Appeals Office since 2007 when the intake was 14,070 to 2010 when the intake rose to 32,432. This has significantly impacted on the processing time for appeals which require oral hearings and, in order to be fair to all appellants, they are dealt with in strict chronological order. In the context of dealing with the considerable number of appeals now on hand, the Department has made a further 9 additional appointments to the office in recent weeks.

While every effort is being made to deal with the large numbers awaiting oral hearing as quickly as possible, it is not possible to give a date when the person's oral hearing will be heard, but s/he will be informed when arrangements have been made.

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.

Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Question 162: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the case of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and when this person will expect to be called for an oral hearing. [21466/11]

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 June 2011. 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 for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.