Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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270. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if an oral hearing will be facilitated in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare and their pending application for carer's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12049/14]

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 referred to an Appeals Officer on 6th February 2014, who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing. The Deputy’s request for an oral hearing of this case will be brought to the attention of the Appeals Officer. 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.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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271. To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on a carer's allowance appeal will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12088/14]

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 30th of May 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. She was notified of this decision and the reason for it on the 9th of July 2013. The person concerned appealed this decision and submitted additional medical evidence in support of the application which was received on the 10th of October 2013. This supplementary information was 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. All the necessary papers have been submitted to the Social Welfare Appeals Office for determination. The Social Welfare Appeals Office will be in touch with the person directly regarding the progress of the appeal.