Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal against refusal of disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; if same will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3538/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The person concerned applied for disability allowance on 13 July 2011.

Medical evidence supplied with his claim was referred to one of the department’s medical assessors who was of the opinion, based on the information supplied, that he was not medically suitable for disability allowance. The deciding officer accepted this opinion and refused the claim and the person was notified in writing of this decision on 27 October 2011.

The person subsequently appealed this decision to the Social Welfare Appeal Office. Following an oral hearing the appeals officer decided that the person was not medically suitable for disability allowance and the appeal was disallowed. The person was notified in writing of this decision on 31 July 2012.

An appeals officer’s decision is final and conclusive in the absence of any fresh facts or evidence.