Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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115. To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Offaly may expect a decision on an appeal for carer's allowance. [11293/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I confirm that the department received applications for carer’s allowance from the person in question for two care recipients in 2012. The person in question was granted carer’s allowance for one care recipient but not the second, who failed to meet the qualifying medical criteria. The person concerned appealed this decision and the case was submitted to the Social Welfare Appeals office for determination. An Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, disallowed the appeal of the person concerned. The person concerned was notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision on 17th December 2013 and was provided at that time with a detailed explanation of the basis for the Appeals Officer’s decision to disallow the appeal. Under Social Welfare legislation, the decision of an Appeals Officer is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed in the light of additional evidence or new facts.

Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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116. To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Offaly may expect a decision on an appeal for carer's allowance. [11294/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question on the 2nd of September 2013. 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, and that she was not providing full time care and attention as required. The person in question was notified of this decision, the reasons for it and of her right of review or appeal on the 23rd of October 2013. The person concerned appealed this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office and submitted further medical evidence in support of the appeal. This information has been forwarded to the medical assessor for further consideration, and the file is currently being prepared for submission to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. The Social Welfare Appeals Office will be in touch with the person directly regarding the progress of the appeal.