John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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291. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if an application for a disability allowance now under appeal will be expedited and approved; and if a supplementary allowance will be approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [18620/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that a disability allowance and a supplementary welfare allowance appeal from the person concerned were registered in that office on the 10^thMarch 2014 and 11^thMarch 2014 respectively.

It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officers on the grounds of appeals be sought.

The Supplementary Welfare Allowance appeal papers have been received from the Department and the case has been referred to an Appeals Officer who will decide whether that appeal can be decided on a summary basis or whether an oral hearing will be required.

The Appeals Office further advise that the disability allowance papers have not yet been received from the Department. When these papers are received, the appeal will be referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration.

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.