Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Question 174: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [10276/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing in this case.

There has been a very significant increase in the number of appeals received by the Social Welfare Appeals Office since 2007 when the intake was 14,070 to 2010 when the intake rose to 32,432. This has significantly impacted on the processing time for appeals which require oral hearings and, in order to be fair to all appellants, they are dealt with in strict chronological order. In the context of dealing with the considerable number of appeals now on hands, the Department has made a further 9 additional appointments to the office in recent weeks.

While every effort is being made to deal with the large numbers awaiting oral hearing as quickly as possible, it is not possible to give a date when the person's oral hearing will be heard, but s/he will be informed when arrangements have been made.

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.

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 176: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will reconsider her decision to withdraw illness benefit in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10300/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that, an Appeals Officer, having considered all the available evidence, disallowed by way of summary decision the illness benefit appeal of the person concerned.

Following the submission of additional medical evidence, the case has been forwarded to the Chief Medical Advisor for his opinion. The person concerned will be informed of the outcome.

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.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 177: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when will the social welfare appeals office set a date for an oral hearing for a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10323/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing in this case.

There has been a very significant increase in the number of appeals received by the Social Welfare Appeals Office since 2007 when the intake was 14,070 to 2010 when the intake rose to 32,432. This has significantly impacted on the processing time for appeals which require oral hearings and, in order to be fair to all appellants, they are dealt with in strict chronological order. In the context of dealing with the considerable number of appeals now on hands, the Department has made a further 9 additional appointments to the office in recent weeks.

While every effort is being made to deal with the large numbers awaiting oral hearing as quickly as possible, it is not possible to give a date when the person's oral hearing will be heard, but s/he will be informed when arrangements have been made.

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.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 178: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the circumstances whereby invalidity pension was terminated in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; if the appeal will be listed at an early date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10337/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Following a medical review of ongoing entitlement to invalidity pension for the person concerned, she was found not eligible for invalidity pension from 28 April 2011. Subsequently, on foot of further medical evidence submitted, her case was reviewed by the deciding officer but it was decided that the position remained unchanged and the disallowance should stand.

The person concerned has appealed this decision to independent Social Welfare Appeals Office and arrangements have now been made for her to attend an appeal medical examination on 3 June 2011. Her future entitlement will considered in the light of the outcome of this examination.