Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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398. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will be made on a domiciliary care allowance application that has gone to appeal over a year ago (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41259/24]

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 Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, decided to disallow the Domiciliary Care Allowance appeal of the person concerned on 16th February 2024.

Under social welfare legislation a decision of an Appeals Officer is generally final and conclusive. However, it may be reviewed by an Appeals Officer under Section 317 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 in the light of new evidence or new facts.

On 10th June 2024, further medical information was received pertaining to the appellant and as a result a Section 317 Review of the appeal officer's decision was opened on 10th June 2024. This review is currently with an appeals officer and once a decision is made on this Section 317 review, the named appellant will be notified in writing.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.