Written answers

Tuesday, 1 May 2012

Department of Social Protection

Social Welfare Appeals

9:00 pm

Photo of John McGuinnessJohn McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 402: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if an application for invalidity pension now under appeal will be expedited and approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [21890/12]

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan 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 12th March 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 to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the basis of the documentary evidence or, if required, will 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.

Photo of John McGuinnessJohn McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 403: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if an application for invalidity pension now under appeal will be expedited and approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [21892/12]

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan 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.

Photo of John McGuinnessJohn McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 404: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if an application for disability allowance now under appeal will be expedited and approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow. [21897/12]

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the person concerned was assessed by a Medical Assessor of the Social Welfare Services who was of the opinion that he was medically unsuitable for Disability Allowance. He appealed this decision and in that context he was assessed by another Medical Assessor who also expressed the opinion that he was medically unsuitable for Disability Allowance. At this stage, the Department of Social Protection have been requested to submit relevant documents to the Social Welfare Appeals Office in this case. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Photo of John McGuinnessJohn McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 405: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if domiciliary care allowance will be approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow. [21899/12]

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan 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 30 November 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 have been received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office and will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, 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.

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