Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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681. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will be made regarding an appeal for a carer's allowance by a person (details supplied) that was appealed in August 2018.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12097/19]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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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 10th August 2018. 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 Employment Affairs and Social Protection. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 12th February 2019. On 19th February 2019 the case was referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.