Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

132. To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on a carer's allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34061/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 23 April 2013. 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 these have been received from the Department, the case in question 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 appeal 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 in relation to social welfare entitlements.

Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

133. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if an appeals officer will be appointed as soon as possible and review the case of a carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow; if she will review the situation and provide a timeframe for when the appeal decision will be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34064/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question on 4 December 2012. The person concerned was refused carers allowance on the grounds that the care recipient is not so disabled as to require full time care and attention as prescribed in regulations. She was notified of this decision, the reasons for it and of her right of review or appeal on 27 February 2013. Additional medical evidence was received and forwarded to the Department’s medical assessor for consideration. However, this information did not alter the opinion of the medical assessor and the decision remained unchanged. The person in question was informed of this on 8 June 2013. Subsequently the person concerned appealed this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office and submitted further medical evidence in support of the appeal. This additional evidence is currently being reviewed and the application is with a deciding officer for a decision. Once processed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.