John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 338: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an application for carer's allowance which is now under appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow. [4941/12]

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 and 2011 when the intake rose to 32,432 and 31,241 respectively. 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.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 339: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if an application for invalidity pension now under appeal will be expedited and approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; the time frame involved for such appeals and when a decision is likely. [4948/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all the evidence, disallowed the appeal of the person concerned by way of summary decision.

Under Social Welfare legislation, the decision of the Appeals Officer is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed by the Appeals Officer in the light of new evidence or new facts.

Following the submission of additional evidence the Appeals Officer has agreed to review the case. The person concerned will be contacted when the review of her appeal has been finalised.

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.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 340: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an appeal for disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; if a cut in carer's allowance being paid will be restored; and if supplementary allowance equal to full benefit will be paid while the appeal is being dealt with. [4951/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The disability allowance claim of the person concerned was disallowed by a Deciding Officer following an assessment by a Medical Assessor of the Department who expressed the opinion that he was medically unsuitable for the allowance.

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an appeal was registered on 24 January 2012 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.

Arrangements are being put in place to increase his spouse to the maximum rate of carer's allowance and, as a result, Community Welfare Services have been contacted to make the necessary adjustments to the supplementary welfare allowance payment of the person concerned.

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.