Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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1230. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a decision has been made on a domiciliary care allowance appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6059/20]

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 7 October 2019.  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 24 January 2020 and the case was referred to an Appeals Officer on 25 February 2020.  The Appeals Officer had decided to hold an oral hearing in this case on 31 March 2020.  However, due to the current Covid-19 restrictions, the oral hearing was cancelled.  The appeal is currently being determined on a summary basis. A decision will issue over the coming days.

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.