The person concerned applied for disablement benefit under the occupational Injuries scheme in respect of three accidents which occurred in 1995. Based on the evidence available at that time his claim was disallowed. He subsequently appealed this decision and following an oral appeal hearing on 17 September 2003 an appeals officer's decision was that the appeal should be allowed. He was notified of this decision by the appeals office on 20 October 2003. In order to determine the correct rate of disablement benefit, he was referred for medical examination so that the degree of loss of faculty could be established. He was examined by one of my Department's medical assessors on 6 May 2004. Due to an error in locating and processing the relevant medical assessment papers the decision was not implemented. This delay is regretted.
The person concerned has now been awarded disablement benefit in respect of each of his three accidents. Aggregated gratuities amounting to €10,365 will be issued in the next week. Any arrears due in respect of compensation for loss of purchasing power will be issued thereafter.
