Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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992. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will be made in respect of a carer’s allowance appeal by a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay in making a decision on the appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10857/20]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision on 26 February 2020.  Under social welfare legislation the decision of an Appeals Officer is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed by an Appeals Officer in the light of new evidence or new facts, or where there has been a change of circumstances which has come to notice since the date of the Appeals Officer's original decision. 

I am advised that the person concerned has submitted additional evidence and that the Appeals Officer has agreed to review the case.  In addition, on 11 June the Appeals Officer requested additional evidence from the person concerned and when this is received the Appeals Officer will finalise their review of the case.  The person concerned will be contacted when the review of her appeal has been finalised.

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.