Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 534: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a decision will be given on an illness benefit appeal in the name of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15244/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Payment of Illness Benefit, to the person concerned, was discontinued from 22 November 2008 following an examination by a Medical Assessor of the Department who expressed the opinion that she was capable of work. An appeal was opened 27 November 2008 and, in the context of that appeal, her case was reviewed by a second Medical Assessor on 2 January 2009 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, that office, on 6 January 2009, decided to afford her an opportunity of setting out the complete and up to date grounds of her appeal. Documentation from the Department on this case has been received by an appeals officer who has decided to hold an oral hearing. The person concerned will be informed when arrangements for this hearing have been made. The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.