Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 285: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an oral hearing on an appeal against a decision in respect of an application for carer's allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35902/11]

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.

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.

Paul Connaughton (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 286: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway was refused back to school allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35918/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Department will review the entitlement to back to school clothing and footwear allowance in this case and advise the person concerned of its decision in due course.

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 287: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if a decision on an appeal has been made in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35926/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The person concerned applied for a back to school clothing and footwear allowance in respect of two children and has received the correct amount payable with respect to his family composition.