John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 253: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision regarding a disability allowance claim; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30841/11]

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 01 June 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 14 October 2011 and the appeal will be assigned, in due course, to an Appeals Officer 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.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 254: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if and when an decision will be made in respect of an appeal regarding jobseeker's allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; if a supplementary welfare allowance payment can be made in the interim with particular regard to the need for financial help in this instance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30852/11]

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 June 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 29 August 2011 and the appeal was assigned to an Appeals Officer on 11 October 2011 who will decide whether the case can be decided on a summary basis or whether to list it for oral hearing.

The person concerned claimed supplementary welfare allowance. However, the claim was subsequently closed as he failed to supply the required documentation and information. It is still open to the person concerned to supply the relevant information to his local Community Welfare Officer who will determine his entitlement.

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.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 255: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when an oral hearing will take place in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30858/11]

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 made 9 additional appointments to the office earlier this year.

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 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.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 256: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when an appeal will be heard in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30859/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an oral hearing of the appeal of the person concerned took place on 14 September 2011 and the Appeals Officer is now considering the appeal in the light of all the evidence submitted, including that adduced at the hearing. The person concerned will be notified of the Appeals Officer decision when the appeal has been determined.

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.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Question 257: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite a review regarding a decision to refuse domiciliary care allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath. [30874/11]

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 September 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 in due course 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.