Alan Farrell (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Social Protection her views on the 2012 figures showing that almost 50% of applicants who were refused disability allowance were awarded the payment on appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5186/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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In 2012 a total of 26,159 disability allowance claims were decided, of these 10,400 were allowed, 14,519 were disallowed and 1,240 claims were withdrawn.

According to the Social Welfare Appeals Office a total of 4,310 disability allowance appeals were determined by appeals officers during 2012 of which a total of 2,114 (49%) were allowed 95 (2%) were partially allowed and 2,101 (49%) were disallowed.

The Department is satisfied that its system for the assessment of disability allowance applications is fair and robust. That system is further reinforced by the statutory right of appeal to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Partial capacity benefit was awarded, to the person concerned, following an assessment by a Medical Assessor of the Department who expressed the opinion that her restriction on capacity for work should be assessed as moderate. An appeal was opened and in the context of that appeal, her case was reviewed by a second Medical Assessor who upheld the previous opinion.

I am informed by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that, in the light of this second medical opinion, that office has decided to afford her an opportunity of setting out the complete and up to date grounds of her appeal. On receipt of her response the relevant Departmental papers will be requested from the Department and the appeal will then 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.