Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Offaly may expect a decision on an appeal for illness benefit. [50291/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was assessed by a Medical Assessor of the Department of Social Protection who was of the opinion that he was capable of work. He appealed this decision and in that context the appeal was assessed by another Medical Assessor who also expressed the opinion that he 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 his appeal and to furnish any further medical evidence that he wished to submit in support of his appeal. He did this and, at this stage, the Department of Social Protection have been requested to submit relevant documents to this office on his case.

On receipt of their response his 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.