Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 358: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when an illness benefit appeal for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be finalised. [33657/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Payment of Illness Benefit to the person concerned was discontinued from 14th March 2008 following an examination by a Medical Assessor of the Department who expressed the opinion that she was capable of work. She appealed this decision on 19th March 2008 and, in the context of this appeal, her case was reviewed by a second Medical Assessor on 19th May 2008 who also expressed the opinion she was capable of work.

I am informed by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that, in the light of this second medical opinion, she was afforded an opportunity of setting out the complete and up to date grounds of her appeal and to furnish any further medical evidence she wished to submit. Her reply, along with further medical evidence from her GP, was sent to the Chief Medical Advisor, who expressed the opinion that this evidence would not affect the previous findings by the Medical Assessors.

In accordance with the statutory requirements, the Department asked for the documentation in the case and the Deciding Officer's comments on the grounds of the appeal.

These were returned to the Social Welfare Appeals Office and the case has now been referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing. The person concerned will be informed when arrangements have been made.