Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 December 2023
490. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 331 of 21 November 2023, if she will now expedite a positive decision based on the medical evidence provided (details supplied). [54956/23]
View answerDisability 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, means test and Habitual Residency conditions.
I can confirm that my Department received a DA application from the person concerned on 23 May 2023. Based on the evidence supplied in support of this application, it was disallowed on the grounds that the medical qualifying conditions were not satisfied. The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision and they were given the right to review and or appeal the decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO).
My Department received a representation from the Deputy, on behalf of the person concerned, on 28 August 2023, requesting an appeal of the decision dated 14 August 2023. In addition, the Deputy advised that a medical report to support this application would follow. I can confirm that the Deputy's email correspondence was acknowledged on 29 August 2023. To date, no further medical information has been received in respect of this individual.
An appeal request has been forwarded to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). The person concerned will be notified directly regarding the outcome of the appeal by the SWAO.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
