The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that a Disability Allowance appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 24 January 2012.
With regard to the spouse of the person concerned, the Social Welfare Appeals Office has also advised me that a carers allowance appeal was registered in that office on 8 March 2012.
It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Social Welfare Services on the grounds of appeal be sought. These have been sought in respect of both appeals and when received, the appeal in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration.
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 on social welfare entitlements.