asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in Dublin.

The person concerned was in receipt of disability benefit from 14 April 1980 to 7 October 1980. Payment was refused after that date following an examination by a medical referee of my Department who expressed the opinion that she was capable of work. She appealed against the decision and in that connection she was again examined by a different medical referee who was also of the opinion that she was capable of work.

The claim was then referred to an appeals officer for determination and an oral hearing of the appeal was arranged for 11 February 1981. She did not, however, attend the hearing but her husband, who attended as her representative, informed the appeals officer that her medical condition was more complicated than the condition for which she was certified.

In the circumstances, the appeals officer deferred a decision on the claim pending the result of a further medical referee examination which was arranged for 4 May 1981. The medical referee who examined her on that date also considered her capable of work and the case has now been again referred to an appeals officer who intends holding an oral hearing of the appeal in the near future. She will be notified of the date, time and place of the hearing as soon as the necessary arrangements have been made.

22.