John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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88. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if an appeal to have a domiciliary care allowance approval back dated to 2012 will be expedited and approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [53403/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who has decided to convene an oral hearing in this case. Every effort will be made to hear the case as quickly as possible and the appellant will be informed when arrangements for the oral hearing have been made.

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.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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89. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if a domiciliary care allowance will be approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [53404/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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An application for domiciliary care allowance was received in respect of the child concerned on the 18th September 2013. This application was referred to one of the Department’s Medical Assessors whose opinion was that the child was not medically eligible for the allowance. A letter issued on the 7th October 2013 advising of the decision to disallow the application.

The person concerned subsequently lodged an appeal against this decision. As part of the appeal process, the case has been forwarded to another of the Department’s Medical Assessors for further consideration, including a review of any new information supplied.

Upon receipt of the Medical Assessor’s opinion, the case will be further examined and forwarded for consideration by the Appeals Office, if necessary.