John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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477. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an application for disability allowance will be expedited and approved for a person (details supplied). [42522/24]

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 the habitual residency conditions.

I confirm that my Department received an application for DA from the person concerned on 21 March 2024. Based on the evidence supplied with the person’s application, her DA was disallowed on the grounds that the medical qualifying condition was not satisfied.

The person concerned was notified of the decision in writing on 03 May 2024 and advised of their entitlement to request a review and/or to appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). Correspondence received on 24 May 2024 from the person concerned including additional medical evidence requested both a review and appeal of the decision of 03 May 2024. On foot this correspondence a review of the decision was undertaken and a request to open an appeal was sent to the SWAO.

Following the review of all medical evidence available, the original decision was upheld. The person concerned was notified of the decision and advised of their entitlement to request a review and/or to appeal the decision to the SWAO on 17 July 2024.

I can confirm that the claim of the person concerned is currently with the SWAO, who will notify the person concerned directly of the outcome of their appeal.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.