Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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1572. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) who submitted a carer's allowance appeal on 2 August 2017 has not had a decision on this appeal; the reason the file was not submitted to the appeals office until October 2017; the expected date that this file will be allocated to a deciding officer for decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54444/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The person concerned was notified of the decision to disallow his Carer's Allowance application on 18 July 2017 and given the right of review or appeal. The person concerned appealed this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. A notice of appeal was received by Carer’s Allowance Section on 14 August 2017 requesting a statement from the Deciding Officer showing the extent to which the facts and contentions advanced by the appellant were admitted or disputed.

At this stage, a different Deciding Officer reviewed in full the original decision which was under appeal together with any additional information/contentions received with the appeal. Having completed the review, the original decision remained unchanged. A submission was then forwarded to the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 12 October 2017 for determination by an Appeals Officer.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who has decided to convene an oral hearing in this case.

Every effort will be made to hear the case as quickly as possible and the appellant will be informed when arrangements for the oral hearing have been made.

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.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.