Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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907.To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will provide an update on the review and appeal for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter.[33869/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Disability Allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under the age of 66. This disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, means test and Habitual Residency conditions.

I confirm that my Department received an application for DA from the person concerned on 19 September 2023. Based on the evidence supplied in support of this person’s application, their application for DA was disallowed on the grounds that the medical qualifying condition was not satisfied.

The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 25 January 2024, and they were given the right to request a review or an appeal.

Further medical evidence was received on the 02 February 2024 when the person concerned requested both a review and an appeal. Their request for an appeal was forwarded to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO).

The DA Section received confirmation from the SWAO on 29 July 2024 that the appeal was allowed and the person concerned was awarded DA with effect from 20 September 2023. Their first payment issued by bank transfer on 21 August 2024. The person concerned was notified of this decision in writing on 01 August 2024.

Arrears of payment due from 20 September 2023 to 20 August 2024, less any deductions for other welfare payments received during the period, were issued on the 3rd September 2024.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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908.To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an application for disability allowance now under appeal will be approved as a matter of urgency for a person (details supplied).[33922/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 25th June 2024. 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 were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 6th July 2024, and the case was referred to an Appeals Officer. The Appeals Officer has decided to allow the appeal and the person concerned has been advised of the outcome.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.