184 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Social Protection if the appeals office will now accept an application for habitual residency as an appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [40371/10]

I am informed by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that a form for the opening of an appeal has been forwarded to the person concerned and requesting her to state the grounds for her appeal. On receipt of her reply the appeal will be opened and processed in the normal manner. 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.

185 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Social Protection if a carer’s allowance application which is on appeal will be dealt with as soon as possible in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick and if the person will be given the opportunity of an oral hearing. [40373/10]

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 11 September 2010. 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. When received, the appeal in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration. As part of this consideration, the Appeals Officer will decide if an oral hearing is appropriate in this case. 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.

186 Deputy Bernard Allen asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be reached on the appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork, against the decision to disallow their family income supplement on the grounds that they do not work 38 hours per fortnight. [40382/10]

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that in appeals for Family Income Supplement, where it appears that the reason for the decision may not have been fully understood, the letter of appeal is referred to Family Income Supplement section requesting that the decision be clarified to the appellant. The person is advised that if s/he is still not satisfied following receipt of this clarification that the appeal will be formally registered and processed.

In the case of the person concerned his/her letter of appeal was forwarded to Family Income Supplement section for clarification on 19 August 2010. The Family Income Supplement section issued a clarification letter to the person concerned on 28 October 2010. There has been no response from the appellant. 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.