Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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110. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the disability allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21718/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 07^thJuly 2016. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When these papers have been received from the Department, the case in question 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 appeal 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.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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111. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) who has been awarded a disability allowance on appeal, can have the award backdated to March 2015 rather than January 2016 as has been decided by the appeals office. [21746/16]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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I confirm that my department received an application for disability allowance (DA) from the above named person on 18 January 2016. The claim was disallowed on medical grounds and the person concerned appealed the decision. The appeal was allowed by the social welfare appeals office, therefore the person in question was deemed to be eligible for disability allowance from the date of receipt of the application. If the person concerned wishes to make an application for backdating he may do so, in writing, clearly stating the grounds for not having made the application at the earlier date or prior to January 2016 and the matter will be considered by a deciding officer.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.