Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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139. To ask the Minister for Social Protection when the payment of carer's allowance will be approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Laois who lodged their application in December 2012; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45452/13]

Joan 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 the 23^rd of 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. These were received in the Appeals Office on the 15^th of August. The appeal was referred to an Appeals Officer on the 23^rd of October, 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 in relation to social welfare entitlements.