James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 283: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Longford has been refused domiciliary care allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6822/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Applications for domiciliary care allowance in respect of these children were received on 6 September 2011. These applications were referred to one of the Department's Medical Assessors who found that the children were not medically eligible for the allowance. Letters issued on 8 November 2011 advising the person concerned of the decisions.

In the case of an application which is refused on medical grounds, the applicant may submit additional information and/or ask for the case to be reviewed or they may appeal the decision directly to the Social Welfare Appeals Office within twenty one days. Appeals have been registered in this case and the Social Welfare Appeals Office will be in contact with the person concerned in due course regarding her appeals.

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 284: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Longford has been refused jobseeker's benefit in 2010 on appeal as they were not working under contract of employment at the time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6825/12]

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.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 285: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will investigate the position of persons (details supplied) in County Monaghan who have been refused rent supplement payment; if she will review this decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6842/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The persons concerned were refused rent supplement payment because they were forced to leave previous accommodation due to non-payment of rent. They were afforded the right to appeal this decision.