Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 331: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on illness benefit will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24915/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the person concerned was examined by a Medical Assessor of the Department who was of the opinion that she was capable of work. She appealed this decision and in that context she was examined by another Medical Assessor who also expressed the opinion that she was capable of work.

In the light of this, it was decided to afford the person concerned an opportunity of setting out the complete and up to date grounds of her appeal and to furnish any further medical evidence that she wished to submit in support of her appeal. She did this and, at this stage, the Department of Social Protection have been requested to submit relevant documents to this office on her case. On receipt of their response her appeal will be referred 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.