Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 615: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a lone parents allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18835/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The person concerned has lodged an appeal against the decision to disallow her application for a one-parent family payment and her file has been referred to an inspector for review as part of the appeal process.

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 616: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal against the decision to refuse an application for diet supplement in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18841/12]

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 available evidence disallowed the appeal of the person concerned by way of summary decision. The person concerned was notified of the Appeals Officer decision on 13 April 2012.

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.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 617: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on the appeal for disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18849/12]

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.

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 618: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on an invalidity pension appeal will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18855/12]

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 23 January 2012. 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.

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 619: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a bereavement grant appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [18860/12]

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 7 February 2012. 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 1 March 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.