230 Deputy Paul Gogarty asked the Minister for Social Protection when a date will be set for a disability allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin and if that person is entitled to receive a supplementary welfare payment in the meantime [42105/10]

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing in this case. The person concerned will be informed when arrangements have been made. The person concerned should contact their local Community Welfare Officer regarding their entitlement to Supplementary Welfare Allowance. 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.

231 Deputy Pádraic McCormack asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a carer’s allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway [42155/10]

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 15 June 2010. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. These papers were received back in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 28 September 2010 and the appeal will be referred in due course to an Appeals Officer who will decide whether the case can be decided on a summary basis or whether to list it for 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 on social welfare entitlements.