Noel Harrington (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal for community welfare allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork while waiting for their application for disability allowance to be processed; if she will provide an update on the disability allowance application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10053/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I confirm that the Department is in receipt of an application for disability allowance from the person concerned. On completion of the necessary investigations on all aspects of the claim a decision will be made and he will be notified directly of the outcome.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that a supplementary welfare allowance appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 07th January 2013. 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 21st January 2013 and the case 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.