Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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339. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a domiciliary care allowance application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12547/19]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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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 6 February 2019 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. It is expected that the Appeals Officer's decision will be issued in the near future.

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.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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340. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a domiciliary care allowance application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12552/19]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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An application for Domiciliary Care Allowance was received from the person concerned on the 11th October 2018. The application was not allowed as the child was not considered to satisfy the qualifying conditions for the allowance. A letter issued on the 4th January 2019 setting out the decision of the deciding officer to refuse the allowance.

An appeal of the decision was registered by the Social Welfare Appeals Office on the 28th January 2019. As part of the appeals process the application will be re-examined by a deciding officer and a revised decision will be made if warranted. Alternatively, the case will be referred for consideration by the Social Welfare Appeals Office. The person concerned will be notified of the outcome of the deciding officer's review as soon as possible.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.