Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Question 272: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; if she will give a timeframe as to when a decision will be made on the application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6039/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I confirm that the department is in receipt of an application for carer's allowance from the person in question. On completion of the necessary investigations relating to all aspects of his case a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 273: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if an application for illness benefit will be approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [6693/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Payment of illness benefit, to the person concerned, was disallowed by a Deciding Officer following an examination by a Medical Assessor of the Department who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. An appeal was registered on 20 January 2012 and the Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that, in accordance with statutory requirements, the Department was asked for the documentation in the case and the Deciding Officer's comments on the grounds of the appeal. In that context, an examination by another Medical Assessor will be carried out. The person concerned will be notified when arrangements for the examination have been completed.

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.