David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 377: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be reached on a disability allowance appeal for a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22508/11]

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 22 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 08 June 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.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 378: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be reached on a rent supplement application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22509/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that the person concerned was refused rent supplement and that this decision was upheld by the HSE Appeals Office. The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised that they have received an appeal from the person concerned and that no decision has yet been made on this appeal. The person concerned will be notified of the outcome of their appeal in due course.

Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
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Question 379: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for domiciliary care allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22534/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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An application for domiciliary care allowance was received on 14th January 2011. It was referred to one of the Department's Medical Assessors who found the child not medically eligible for the allowance. A letter issued to the person concerned on 14th February 2011 advising her of the decision.

In the case of an application which is refused on medical grounds, the applicant may submit additional information and/or ask for the case to be reviewed or they may appeal the decision directly to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. The application was reviewed at the customer's request and the Medical Assessor considered that the child remained ineligible for the allowance. The person concerned has now submitted further information and an appeal has been registered by the Appeals Office. As part of the appeal process, this additional information will be assessed by another Medical Assessor and the case will then be forwarded to the Appeals Office for consideration.