Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 56: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be issued on an application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31589/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal by the person concerned were registered in that office on 23 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 20 October 2011 and the case has been assigned 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.

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 57: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason rent supplement payment was refused to a person (details supplied); when a determination will be made regarding an appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31592/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Following on from the transfer of the Community Welfare Service from the Health Services Executive (HSE) to the Department of Social Protection, with effect from Saturday 1st October, legislation was commenced which provides that appeals for supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) will be made to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. Up to now, the legislation provided for a 2-step process, first to the Health Services Executive (HSE) and, if still dissatisfied, to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.

As part of that process, any appeals that have been submitted in recent weeks to the HSE are being transferred to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. These appeals will be registered and acknowledged by the Social Welfare Appeals Office in due course. In this case, I am informed by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an appeal for SWA for the person concerned has not yet been registered. The Chief Appeals Officer has assured me that all appropriate measures are being taken to address the smooth transfer of SWA appeals to her office.

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.