116. Deputy John Lyons asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position on a disability benefit application in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11; if an appeal is open on the application; and the timeline for the processing of the application. [47715/14]

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the disability allowance appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 20th November 2014, who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.

The current average processing time taken to process disability allowance appeals decided by summary decision is 20.09 weeks and 27.00 weeks for appeals decided following an oral hearing.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.