Michael Ring
Question:286 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the date for a further oral hearing for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo in view of the chief appeals officer's decision. [24567/98]
Written Answers - Social Welfare Appeals.
The person concerned, who is currently in receipt of deserted wife's benefit, applied for disability allowance on 9 January 1998. She was examined by a medical assessor of the Department who was of the view that she did not satisfy the medical criteria for receipt of disability allowance. She appealed this decision to the independent social welfare appeals office and was examined by a different medical assessor who was also of the opinion that she did not satisfy the criteria for receipt of disability allowance. An oral hearing of her appeal took place on 8 October 1998. Having considered all of the evidence in the case, including the submissions of the person concerned at the oral hearing, the appeals officer determined that the statutory condition for entitlement to disability allowance that a person be substantially handicapped from undertaking suitable employment was not satisfied in her case. The appeal was, accordingly, disallowed and the person concerned has been advised of the decision.
The appeal officer has re-examined the case but does not consider that there are any new facts or evidence relating to the statutory medical qualifying test which would warrant a review of his decision.