asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Waterford has been refused disability benefit and if his application will be re-examined.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefit.
80.
The person concerned was in receipt of disability benefit to 26 September 1986. Payment was disallowed from 27 September 1986 following an examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work.
He appealed against the disallowance and was examined by a different medical referee who also expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. His case was then referred to an appeals officer who upheld the decision to disallow payment of disability benefit from 27 September 1986 to 2 March 1987, the date of the latest medical certificate before him. The decision of the appeals officer is final and can only be altered in the light of new facts or fresh evidence.
A medical report submitted by the claimant in relation to the period of disallowance covered by the appeals officer's decision has been forwarded to the chief appeals officer for consideration. The person concerned continued to submit medical certificates subsequent to 2 March 1987. His claim was again disallowed by a deciding officer and he was notified of this disallowance and his right of appeal on 4 May. He has now lodged an appeal and arrangements are being made to have him re-examined by a medical referee as soon as the necessary arrangements can be made.