Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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288. To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Offaly may expect a decision on their appeal for disability allowance. [19825/13]

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 he was medically unsuitable for disability allowance. An appeal was opened and in the context of that appeal his case was reviewed by a second Medical Assessor who also expressed the opinion that he was medically unsuitable.

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that, in the light of this second medical opinion, 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.