Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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397. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal for rent allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27312/13]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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398. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal for jobseeker's allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27313/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 397 and 398 together.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the supplementary welfare allowance and jobseeker’s allowance appeals, by the person concerned, were registered in that office on 30 May 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. When received, both appeals will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeals 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.