Dan Neville (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a respite care grant in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17048/13]

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 a 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 file has been requested to be returned to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. On receipt of this file, the Appeals Officer reviewed the case. The Appeals Officer upheld his original decision and the person concerned was notified in writing on 9th April 2013 of this outcome.

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.