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 invalidity pension. [51168/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an Appeals Officer, following careful examination of the documentary evidence in the case disallowed the appeal of the person concerned on a summary basis, who was informed of this decision by letter dated 24th April 2012.

Social Welfare legislation provides that, in general, the decision of an Appeals Officer is final and conclusive but may be revised in the light of new facts or evidence.

Following representations in the case, including the provision of some new evidence, the Appeals Officer, on 17/10/12, agreed that the case be re-opened by way of oral hearing. When this hearing is scheduled the person will be notified of the arrangements.

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.

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an invalidity pension in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51183/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Invalidity pension is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the contribution conditions.

Invalidity pension was stopped for the person in question from 26 January 2012 following a routine review of continued entitlement. Based on the up-to-date medical evidence provided for the purposes of the review, the medical assessor expressed the opinion that the claimant was no longer eligible for invalidity pension as she no longer satisfied the medical criteria.

The person concerned requested a review of this decision and submitted further medical evidence in support of the application. This additional evidence, along with the original information, was evaluated by a different medical assessor who expressed the opinion that the person concerned does not satisfy the medical criteria. The deciding officer confirmed the original decision and notified the claimant of the outcome on 10 January 2012, advising her of her right to appeal the decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office.

The person concerned has appealed the decision. An appeal medical examination has been arranged for 11 December 2012 in order for a medical assessor to further review the person’s medical eligibility for invalidity pension.

If, following this review, it is decided that she still does not satisfy the medical criteria, her file and all relevant papers will be prepared and forwarded to the Social Welfare Appeals Office for determination. If the claimant satisfies the medical criteria, a revised decision will be made by a deciding officer and she will be notified directly of same.