Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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Question 235: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal for illness benefit in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [24549/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the illness benefit claim of the person concerned was disallowed following an examination by a Medical Assessor who expressed the opinion that he was medically unsuitable for the benefit. An appeal was registered on 21st July 2011 and in accordance with the statutory procedures the relevant department papers and the comments of the Social Welfare services on the matter raised in the appeal have been sought. In that context, an examination by another Medical Assessor will be carried out.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social and Family Affairs and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 236: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite the processing of the appeal against the refusal of lone parents allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [24556/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that, the appeal from the person concerned has been referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing on 26 September 2011. The person concerned has been notified of the arrangements.

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.

Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 237: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a pension entitlement in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24563/11]

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 3rd August 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 14th September 2011 and the appeal will be assigned an Appeals Officer who, in due course, 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.

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Question 238: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding jobseeker's benefit appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [24567/11]

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 29th July 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 2nd August 2011 and the appeal was assigned to an Appeals Officer on 29th August 2011 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.