Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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357. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he will expedite a disability benefit application in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13152/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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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, a means test and the habitual residency conditions.

I can confirm that the Department received an application for DA from the person concerned on 6 September 2024. Based on the evidence supplied, the application was disallowed on the grounds that they failed to provide sufficient information to enable a Deciding Officer to determine their means.

The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 21 October 2024 and they were given the right to request a review of this decision and/or appeal it to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO).

The person concerned supplied further information on 31 December 2024 and a review of the original decision was carried out. Based on the additional evidence supplied, their application for DA was disallowed on the grounds that they failed to provide sufficient information to enable a Deciding Officer to determine their means.

The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 17 January 2025 and they were given the right to review or appeal this decision.

The person concerned lodged an appeal with the SWAO. The SWAO notified the DA section on 14 March 2025 that the decision was upheld and the appeal was disallowed. The person concerned was notified directly by SWAO regarding their appeal.I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.