Ms Joan Gordon:

Overall, a small number of schemes account for the majority of the appeals. The disability allowance scheme has the highest rate, with approximately 26% of all appeals relating to it. The next highest is carer's allowance. As the Secretary General just mentioned, the domiciliary care allowance rate is quite low. I think it is approximately 5% of our total receipts. In terms of the review process, the legislation requires that we ask the deciding officer for a submission on any appeal made. Sometimes additional medical evidence is available even at that point which allows the deciding officer to review and revise the decision.