Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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162. To ask the Minister for Social Protection when an appeal regarding a carer's allowance will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21271/15]

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 21^stMay 2015 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. The person concerned will be notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision when the appeal has been determined.

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.

Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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163. To ask the Minister for Social Protection when an appeal regarding a carer's allowance will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21272/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence including that adduced at the oral hearing, decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned on 24^thFebruary 2015.

Under Social Welfare legislation, the decision of the Appeals Officer is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed by the Appeals Officer in the light of new evidence or new facts. I am advised that the person concerned subsequently submitted additional evidence and that the Appeals Officer agreed to review the person concerned appeal on foot of this additional evidence. Regrettably the Appeals Officer did not find any new facts or fresh evidence which warranted a revision of his earlier decision. The person concerned has been notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision.

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 on social welfare entitlements.