Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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146. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will expedite a carer’s allowance appeal on behalf of a person (details supplied) and ensure an oral hearing is scheduled in advance of any decision. [25130/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision-making functions.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that a carer's allowance appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 2 May 2023. 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. These papers were received from the Department on 12 May 2023 and on 16 May 2023 they were 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 hearing.

The Deputy's request for an oral hearing has been brought to the attention of the Appeals Officer. The regulations governing appeals provide that it is a matter for the Appeals Officer to decide whether an oral hearing is required or whether an appeal can be decided by way of summary decision.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.