Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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254. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an appeal for carer’s allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); if an oral hearing can be facilitated in this case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55922/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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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. 

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 28 September 2022.  It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought.  When these papers have been received from the Department, the case in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if necessary, hold an oral appeal hearing.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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255. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55926/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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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. 

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered with that Office on 28 September 2022. The relevant departmental papers were also requested from the Disability Allowance section in the Department of Social Protection on that date.

I am advised that the person concerned subsequently submitted additional evidence to the Disability Allowance section for a review of the Deciding Officer's decision. The Deciding Officer made a revised decision to award the claim and the appeal was withdrawn by the Appeals Office on 2 November 2022.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy