Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason a file in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal was requested by the appeals office in August 2012 regarding an appeal for disability allowance has still not been sent from her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57417/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The person concerned applied for disability allowance on 8 November 2011. The application, based upon the evidence provided, was refused on the ground that the person in question was not medically suitable for disability allowance. The person was notified in writing of this decision on 14 March 2012. The person subsequently submitted further medical evidence for review. However, upon review, it was decided that there was no grounds to revise the original decision to refuse disability allowance. The person was notified of this on 17 July 2012.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office advised the department on 24 August 2012 that the person had appealed this decision and had submitted additional medical evidence in support of the appeal. This new medical evidence, along with all the evidence previously furnished, was referred to a medical assessor and is awaiting examination. It is normal procedure for this process to be completed in advance of a submission being prepared for the Social Welfare Appeals Office. Once the medical opinion is received from the medical assessor, a deciding officer will re-examine the case. If the decision to refuse is confirmed all necessary papers will be referred to the Social Welfare Appeals Office for determination.