Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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617. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason disability allowance was refused on appeal in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37611/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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An application for disability allowance was received from the person concerned on 24^th July 2012. The medical evidence submitted with the application was referred to one of the Department's medical assessors who was of the opinion that the person did not satisfy the medical conditions for receipt of the allowance. The deciding officer accepted this opinion and refused the application and the person was notified in writing of this decision on 16^th October 2012.

The person subsequently appealed the decision to the Chief Appeal's Officer, Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). On 30 July 2013 an appeals officer, having considered all the evidence furnished by the person, disallowed the appeal and the person was notified by the SWAO of this decision on 19 August 2013.

An appeals officer's decision is final and conclusive in the absence of any fresh facts or evidence.