Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 66: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding financial support in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [14808/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The person concerned was refused mortgage interest supplement on 28 February 2012 as the first mortgage was not obtained to purchase, build or repair the main residence and the second mortgage was obtained for repairs to both residence and commercial property owned at that time. A breakdown of costs and receipts for same has not been provided.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 68: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the grounds on which it was decided to refuse an application for disability allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14848/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The person concerned was refused disability allowance on the ground that, based upon the medical assessor's opinion of the medical evidence supplied in support of the claim, the person is not medically suitable for disability allowance. The deciding officer accepted this opinion and the person was notified in writing of this decision on 9 September 2011.

Further medical evidence was subsequently supplied and was reviewed by the medical assessor who was of the opinion, based on the information supplied, that the person was not medically suitable for disability allowance. Accordingly, the deciding officer decided that there were no grounds to revise the original decision and the person concerned was notified in writing of this outcome on 2 February 2012.

When conducting an assessment, the medical assessor does not dispute the existence of the certified cause of incapacity but rather s/he assesses the degree to which the loss of function in work-related activities, resulting from disease or injury, affects the person's ability to perform either their own job or alternative types of work.