James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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552. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the delay in processing an appeal for invalidity benefit in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36928/13]

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.

This department received a claim for invalidity pension for the person concerned on 05 April 2013. The medical evidence provided by the claimant in support of her claim was examined by a medical assessor who was of the opinion that the person concerned is not eligible for invalidity pension as she does not satisfy the medical criteria. The application for invalidity pension was disallowed by a deciding officer. The person in question was notified of this decision and the reason for it on 21 May 2013.

The person concerned appealed the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) on 11 June 2013 and submitted further medical evidence in support of their appeal. Regretfully, due to processing error, the referral of this evidence to a medical assessor for evaluation was delayed, this has now been rectified and the medical evidence has been referred for medical assessor opinion. The opinion of the medical assessor is expected shortly and, upon receipt, a deciding officer will review the original decision. If the deciding officer decides to confirm the original decision, all relevant papers will be forwarded without further delay to the independent SWAO for determination. If the deciding officer decides to revise the original decision, the person in question will be notified directly in writing.