Vol. 504 No. 2
251 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be approved for disability allowance in view of the fact that she suffers from osteoarthritis and is unable to work. [11385/99]
The person concerned, who is currently in receipt of deserted wife's benefit, applied for disability allowance on 9 January 1998. Her application was refused on the grounds that she did not satisfy the medical cri teria for receipt of disability allowance. Her certified cause of incapacity was diabetes.
She appealed this decision to the independent social welfare appeals office and, following an oral hearing, the appeals officer determined that the statutory condition for entitlement to disability allowance, namely that a person be substantially handicapped from undertaking suitable employment, was not satisfied in her case. The appeal was, accordingly, disallowed.
The latest medical evidence submitted has been referred to the chief medical adviser of the Department for consideration. The person's claim will be considered again in the light of the medical findings.
