Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 400: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when an appeal or oral hearing decision will be made in respect of a disability allowance and carer's allowance in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19967/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that a Disability Allowance appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 24 January 2012. With regard to the spouse of the person concerned, the Social Welfare Appeals Office has also advised me that a carers allowance appeal was registered in that office on 8 March 2012.

It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Social Welfare Services on the grounds of appeal be sought. These have been sought in respect of both appeals and when received, the appeal in question will be referred 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.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 401: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if all information relative to disability allowance review has been received in her Department in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; when payment will issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19975/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Payment of disability allowance was stopped on the 21 February 2012 as the person concerned was out of the State. He was interviewed by a social welfare investigator on 7 March 2012 and he undertook to supply certain documentation to her. On 19 April 2012, he contacted the investigator and, again, undertook to supply any outstanding documentation immediately.

A decision on his entitlement to disability allowance will be made upon receipt of the social welfare investigator's report and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome in due course.