Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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598. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a disability allowance for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41718/16]

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 15^thDecember 2016. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection These papers have been received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 10^thJanuary 2017 and the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on 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.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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599. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a disability allowance for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41719/16]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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The application for disability allowance (DA) from this man was disallowed by a deciding officer (DO) who decided that he did not satisfy the medical conditions for the scheme. Notification of this decision issued on 25 October 2016.

The person in question has lodged an appeal with the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). All the relevant papers requested by that Office recently were submitted by the Department and the SWAO will be in touch with the person in due course in relation to the progress of the appeal.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.