446. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a carer’s allowance appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53597/19]

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 2 July 2019.   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 Employment Affairs and Social Protection. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 30 August 2019. The case was referred to an Appeals Officer on 4 October 2019 and I am advised that the decision of the Appeals Officer in this case will issue in the very near future.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.