Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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104. 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); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18187/24]

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 an appeal by the person concerned was registered on the 13th November 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 on 6th February 2024 and the case was assigned to an Appeals Officer on 22nd February 2024.

The Appeals Officer issued correspondence to the person concerned on 15th April 2024 giving the opportunity to submit further evidence or comments.

When a response is received from the person concerned, the Appeals Officer 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.