Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1804. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a disability allowance application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35163/19]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I can confirm that my department received an application for disability allowance (DA) from this lady on 10 June 2019.

On 22 August 2019 the person concerned was requested to supply supporting documentation required by the deciding officer in order to make a decision on her eligibility. On receipt of this information a decision will be made on her DA application and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1805. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if additional time to gather medical evidence will be granted to a person (details supplied). [35165/19]

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1847. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a matter will be addressed regarding a disability allowance appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35691/19]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1805 and 1847 together.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 21 June 2019. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments of (or on behalf of) the Deciding Officer on the grounds of the appeal be sought from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. These papers have been received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 15 July 2019 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.

I wish to advise the Deputy that the person concerned should submit any new evidence he may have in support of his disability allowance application as soon as he receives it. The appeals system is flexible and fair, allowing for further information to be submitted by the appellant up to and including the oral hearing, if the Appeals Officer decides that an oral hearing is appropriate in the case. Any new evidence obtained by the person concerned will be considered by the Appeals Officer.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1806. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a disability allowance application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35167/19]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The person concerned has been awarded disability allowance with effect from 13 March 2019. The first payment was made by his chosen payment method on 7 August 2019.

Arrears of payment due issued to the person concerned on 14 August 2019.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.