Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 292: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an invalidity pension appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [16138/12]

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 29th August 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 being sought. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 20th January 2012 and the appeal will be assigned, in due course, to an Appeals Officer who will decide whether the case can be decided on a summary basis or whether to list it for oral hearing.

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.

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 293: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on an invalidity pension claim appeal will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16141/12]

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 he was medically unsuitable for the allowance. An appeal was registered on 1st March 2012 and in accordance with the statutory procedures the relevant department papers and the comments of the Deciding Officer 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 and Family Affairs and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.