Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 138: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Carlow will be informed of the result of their application for domiciliary care allowance; and if she will expedite a response. [6114/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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An application for domiciliary care allowance was received from the person concerned on 4 July 2011. The application was refused as the child was not considered to satisfy the medical criteria. The person concerned was notified of the decision on 3 October 2011 and they have since appealed the decision. As part of the appeal process, the application has been forwarded to another of the Department's Medical Assessors for further consideration, including a review of any new information supplied. Upon receipt of their opinion, the case will be forwarded for consideration by the Appeals Office, if necessary.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 140: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an oral hearing on an appeal for domiciliary care in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6141/12]

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.