Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 357: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an application for rent allowance in respect of a person (details supplied). [5148/12]

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 1st December 2011. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Designated Person on the grounds of appeal be sought. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 6th January 2012 and the appeal was assigned to an Appeals Officer on 24 January 2012 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.