John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 100: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision in respect of their appeal for disability allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33498/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the disability allowance claim of the person concerned was disallowed following an assessment by a Medical Assessor who expressed the opinion that she was medically unsuitable for the allowance. An appeal was registered on 6 August 2011 and in accordance with the statutory procedures the relevant Department papers and the comments of the Social Welfare services on the matter raised in the appeal have been sought. In that context, an assessment by another Medical Assessor will be carried out.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 101: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision on an appeal for illness benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33499/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Payment of illness benefit, to the person concerned, was disallowed by a Deciding Officer following an examination by a Medical Assessor of the Department who expressed the opinion that she was capable of work.

An appeal was registered on 1st November 2011 and the Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that, in accordance with statutory requirements, the Department was asked for the documentation in the case and the Deciding Officer's comments on the grounds of the appeal. In that context, an examination by another Medical Assessor will be carried out. The person concerned will be notified when arrangements for the examination have been completed.

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.