Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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1025. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of a request to review an appeal decision to refuse an invalidity pension based on further medical evidence in the case of a person (details supplied); when a decision is expected to issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20027/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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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 am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision. Under Social Welfare legislation, the decision of the Appeals Officer is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed by the Appeals Officer in the light of new evidence or new facts.

I am advised that the person concerned subsequently submitted additional evidence and that the Appeals Officer agreed to review the case on foot of this additional evidence. The person concerned will be contacted when the review of the appeal has been finalised.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.