Anne Ferris (Wicklow, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the delay in an appeal for invalidity pension in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin considering the appeal was lodged in March 2012; if she will indicate when this invalidity pension claim will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3845/13]

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. The person concerned has appealed a decision to disallow, on medical grounds, her invalidity pension claim. Further medical evidence has been submitted by the person in question which is currently awaiting review by a medical assessor. 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 is deemed to satisfy the medical criteria, a revised decision will be made by a deciding officer and she will be notified of same.

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an invalidity pension appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [3864/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 16th January 2013. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When received, the appeal in question will be referred in to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing. 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.