Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 605: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on a rent allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway. [18796/12]

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 3 November 2011. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When received, the appeal in question will be referred in due course to an Appeals Officer for consideration.

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.

Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 606: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Carlow will receive a decision on their appeal for disability allowance. [18797/12]

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 6 December 2011. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 17 January 2012 and the appeal will, in due course, be assigned to an Appeals Officer for consideration.

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.

Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 607: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on a carer's allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied). [18798/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The above named was refused carer's allowance on grounds that the care recipient is not so disabled as to require full- time care and attention as prescribed in regulations. He was notified of this decision, the reason for it.

He subsequently appealed the decision, and submitted additional medical evidence in support of his appeal. However, this information did not alter the opinion of the medical assessor and, consequently, the decision remained unchanged. On 13 April 2012, a submission was prepared and his file and papers forwarded to the Social Welfare Appeals Office for determination.