Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 March 2014
111. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an application for carer’s allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath in respect of their sibling and in particular in the context where additional medical evidence was submitted in respect of the carer; if the decision will be made to grant same without further delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14630/14]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 11 November 2013. 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 4 March 2014 and the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
