Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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359. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in respect of determination of appeal for carer's allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21059/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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A child under 16 years is deemed medically eligible for carer's allowance when domiciliary care allowance is in payment for that child. Once the child reaches 16 years of age and entitlement to domiciliary care allowance ceases, a review of the continuing entitlement to carer’s allowance is undertaken as medical eligibility is no longer automatically satisfied and must be confirmed. This resulted in a review in this case. Following that review carer’s allowance was stopped on 20th November 2013 in respect of the care recipient in question as it was decided that the medical criteria were no longer satisfied.

The person in question submitted additional medical evidence in support of their application. This evidence was reviewed but the decision remained unchanged. The person in question was notified of this decision on the 23rd January 2014 the reason for it and of her right of appeal. The person concerned has appealed the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. An appeals submission will be prepared and the file and papers will be referred to the Social Welfare Appeals Office for determination as soon as possible.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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360. To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue in respect of recent oral hearing concerning eligibility for carer's allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21061/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an oral hearing of the appeal of the person concerned took place on 8 April 2014 and that the Appeals Officer is now considering the appeal in the light of all of the evidence submitted, including that adduced at the oral hearing and it is expected that a decision on the appeal will issue to the person concerned within the next week.

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.