Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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Question 397: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on an appeal for carer's allowance will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Louth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19937/12]

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, including that adduced at oral hearing, allowed the appeal of the person concerned. The person concerned was notified of the Appeals Officer decision on 18 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.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 398: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Cork has yet received a decision on their application for invalidity pension appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19939/12]

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 16 August 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 16 January 2012 and the appeal has been assigned to an Appeals Officer for consideration on whether to decide the case on a summary basis or hold an oral hearing.

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.