James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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271. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Longford who is in receipt of disability benefit receives €191 per week only and not the full amount; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26707/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The rate of illness benefit payable, to the person concerned, is determined by the average weekly earnings in the governing contribution year as provided for and defined in Section 41 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 2005 and Articles 26 and 27 of the Social Welfare (Consolidated Claims, Payments and Control) Regulations, 2007 (S.I. 142 of 2007).

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 16 June 2014, 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 in relation to social welfare entitlements.