Paul Connaughton (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 293: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue in regard to an application for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36080/11]

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 29 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 08 November 2011 and the appeal was assigned to an Appeals Officer on 16 November 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.

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Question 295: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal for disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36123/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the disability allowance claim of the person concerned was disallowed following an assessment by a Medical Assessor who expressed the opinion that she was medically unsuitable for the allowance. An appeal was registered on 13 September 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 assessment by another Medical Assessor will be carried out. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.