John Lyons (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 240: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a medical assessment for an appeal will be carried out in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Meath in view of the fact that the original assessment was cancelled. [6295/12]

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 s/he was capable of work.

An appeal was registered on 22 October 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 on 20 February 2012.

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 242: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if and when eligibility for disability allowance will be determined in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6300/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 14 October 2011. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 31 January 2012 and the appeal will, in due course, be assigned to an Appeals Officer for consideration.

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.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 243: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow against her decision to refuse disability allowance payments; if she will provide a clear timetable for when the outcome of this appeal can be expected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6316/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The claim for disability allowance, by the person concerned, was disallowed by a Deciding Officer following an assessment by a Medical Assessor of the Department who was of the opinion that he was medically unsuitable for disability allowance.

The person concerned appealed this decision and I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all the evidence disallowed the appeal by way of summary 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.