Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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1278.To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will be made on domiciliary care allowance appeal submitted by a person (detail supplied); the reason for the delay in processing the appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31740/24]

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 in that office on 31st March 2024. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection.

These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 15th April 2024. The case was referred to an Appeals Officer on 15th July 2024, who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on documentary evidence presented or, if necessary, hold an oral hearing.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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1279.To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when it is likely that a person (details supplied) will get a decision on their appeal for invalidity pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31811/24]

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 in that office on 17th January 2024.

It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection. These papers have been received by the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 30th January 2024 and the case was referred to an Appeals Officer on 6th February 2024. Additional information was subsequently received in support of the appeal which has been provided to the Appeals Officer. The Appeals Officer will make a summary decision on the appeal based on documentary evidence presented or, if necessary, hold an oral hearing.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.