Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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463. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a late appeal will be accepted and an oral hearing will be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15844/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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An application for Carer's Allowance by the person concerned was disallowed by a Deciding Officer of the Department on 7 February 2019. I am informed by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an appeal for the person concerned was received in that Office on 21 March 2022.

An appeal against the decision of a Deciding Officer must be made within 21 days of a decision being notified. Appeals received outside of this time limit may be accepted at the discretion of the Chief Appeals Officer, taking into account the circumstances of the case. In view of the fact that 3 years have elapsed since the person concerned was notified of the decision, and in the absence of any reason for not submitting an appeal within the prescribed timeframe, I am advised by the Chief Appeals Officer that an appeal is unlikely to be accepted.

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.

If there has been any change in circumstances it is open to the person concerned to reapply for carer's allowance.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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464. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when an appeal decision will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15849/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I confirm that an application from the person concerned for disability allowance (DA) was received by the Department on 22 November 2021.

The processing time for individual DA claims may vary in accordance with their relative complexity in terms of the three main qualifying criteria, the person’s circumstances and the information they provide in support of their claim.

The application was referred to a social welfare inspector (SWI) for a report on the person’s means and circumstances on 24th November 2021. A request to have the case prioritised has also been sent to the SWI. Once they submit their report to DA section, a decision will be made on the application and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.