Michael Ring
Question:160 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be called for an oral hearing to finalise her appeal. [11233/01]
Written Answers - Oral Hearing.
Arising from an accident at work, the person concerned applied for disablement benefit and unemployability supplement under the occupational injuries benefit scheme.
Following an examination by a medical assessor of my Department, the extent of her loss of faculty as a result of the accident was assessed at 15%. She was also found to be incapable of work but as this incapacity was not deemed to arise from the loss of faculty due to the occupational accident, a deciding officer decided that she was not entitled to unemployability supplement.
Her appeals against these decisions to the social welfare appeals office have been considered by an appeals officer who has decided that an oral hearing is necessary. This is being arranged for the week commencing 7 May.
Under social welfare legislation decisions in relation to claims must be made by deciding officers and appeals officers. These officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in regard to making such decisions.