Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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39. To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision regarding an application for a carer's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17922/15]

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 registered in that office on 17^thDecember 2014. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 07th April 2015 and the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.

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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40. To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision regarding the backdating of an application for a carer's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17923/15]

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 24th July 2013. The person in question was refused carer’s allowance on the grounds that the care recipient is not so disabled as to require full time care and attention as prescribed in regulations. The person in question was notified on the 21st of September 2013 of this decision, the reasons for it and of his right of review and appeal. The person concerned appealed this decision and the case was submitted to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) for determination. An Appeals Officer (AO), having fully considered all of the available evidence, disallowed the appeal of the person concerned. The person concerned was notified on the 11th March 2014 of the AO’s decision and the reasons for the disallowance.

The SWAO subsequently recalled the file for review. Following this review the appeal was partially allowed by an AO with effect from 11th of December 2014 only. The SWAO wrote to the person concerned on the 11th of January 2015 outlining the revised position.

The file has again been recalled by the SWAO and is currently with them for further consideration.