Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 180: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on a jobseeker's allowance appeal will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32036/11]

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 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.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 181: 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 Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32044/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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An application for domiciliary care allowance was received from the person concerned on the 15th September 2011 and was disallowed on the 11th October 2011. The person concerned requested a medical review of this decision on 27th October 2011 and submitted additional supporting information. The application has been forwarded to one of the Department's Medical Assessors for review of the original medical opinion. Upon receipt of the review report, a decision will issue to the customer.

Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 182: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the delay on an appeal for domiciliary care in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal [32057/11]

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 within the next month. The person concerned will be 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.

Questions Nos. 183 and 184 withdrawn.