Natasha Newsome Drennan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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1447. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he will review the disability claim decision in relation to person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20222/25]

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 condition.

I can confirm that my Department received an application for DA from the person concerned on 06 February 2024. Based on the evidence supplied in support of this person’s application, the claim was refused on the grounds that the medical qualifying conditions for DA were not satisfied.

The person concerned was notified of this decision on 22 May 2024 and was also notified of their right to request a review of this decision and/or appeal it to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO).

The person concerned lodged an appeal with the SWAO and the Department received notification of this appeal and the Department submitted the appeal to the SWAO on 10 July 2024. The SWAO notified the DA Section on 22 April 2025 that the decision was upheld and the appeal was disallowed. The person concerned was notified directly by SWAO regarding their appeal. An Appeals Officer’s decision is final and conclusive in the absence of any fresh facts or evidence. It is open to the person concerned to re-apply for DA.

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.