Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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409. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite a disability allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied). [26873/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the person concerned was examined by a Medical Assessor of the Department of Social Protection who was of the opinion that he was medically unsuitable for Disability Allowance. The person concerned appealed this decision and in that context he was examined by another Medical Assessor who also expressed the opinion that the person concerned was unsuitable for Disability Allowance.

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.