Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite and approve a disability allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15769/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Payment of disability allowance, to the person concerned, was refused by a Deciding Officer following an assessment by a Medical Assessor of the Department who expressed the opinion that she was medically unsuitable for disability allowance.

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an appeal has been opened and in the context of that appeal, her case was reviewed by a second Medical Assessor who also expressed the opinion that she was medically unsuitable. In the light of this, the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal have been sought. When received, the case will be referred 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.