Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 219: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when an appeal for domiciliary care allowance will be processed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32787/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all the evidence, disallowed the appeal of the person concerned by way of summary decision. The person concerned has been notified of the Appeals Officers decision.

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 220: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the grounds on which an application for invalidity pension was refused in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; if this parliamentary question will be accepted as notification of an appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32806/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Invalidity pension is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the contribution conditions.

This department received an application for invalidity pension for the person concerned. The medical evidence provided was examined by a medical assessor who found that the person concerned is not eligible for invalidity pension as she does not satisfy the medical criteria. Accordingly, the application for invalidity pension was disallowed. She was notified of this decision on 21 October 2011 and was advised of her right to request a review of the decision and also of her right to lodge an appeal with the social welfare appeals office.

If the person concerned wishes to request a review of the decision she may provide further medical evidence in support of her application. This should be sent directly to invalidity pension section. Any further medical evidence will be evaluated by a medical assessor and a decision on the review will issue to the applicant. The applicant will be notified of her right to appeal this decision if she is still not satisfied.

If the person concerned wishes to lodge an appeal they should forward a letter detailing the grounds of their appeal to the social welfare appeals office within 21 days of the date they were notified of the decision on their claim. Instructions on how to request a review and/or appeal a decision are set out in the decision letter which issued to the person in question.