Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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462. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for domiciliary care allowance by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12844/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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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 25 May 2016, who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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 Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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463. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for domiciliary care allowance by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12846/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The person concerned applied for domiciliary care allowance in respect of her child on the 7 December 2015. The application was not allowed as it was considered that the child did not meet the eligibility criteria for the allowance. A decision letter issued to her on the 2 March 2016.

An appeal of this decision was registered on 23 March 2016 and additional information on her child’s condition/care needs has been supplied. The application together with the new information supplied has been forwarded to a Medical Assessor for their professional opinion. Upon receipt of the Medical Assessor’s opinion, the case will be further examined by a deciding officer, who will revise the original decision if warranted or alternatively, forward the case for consideration by the Appeals Office. Such reviews can take up to 12 weeks to complete at present.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.