Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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303. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a decision will be made on an appeal in respect of a carer's allowance (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4741/24]

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 they have been in touch with the Deputy's office as an appeal for the person concerned has yet to be registered.

Once the appeal has been submitted to the Social Welfare Appeals Office it will be registered and the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal will be sought. This is a statutory requirement of the appeals process.

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.