Michael Finucane
Question:291 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs when a decision will be made on the payment of carer's allowance to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [31642/01]
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
The person concerned applied for carer's allowance on 21 August 2001. The conditions for receipt of carer's allowance are that full-time care and attention is required and being provided to the care recipient and that the means test is satisfied.
She was refused carer's allowance on the basis that, her weekly means from her spouse's earnings exceed the statutory limit for receipt of carer's allowance.
Her case was subsequently reviewed but her means assessed at £125.66, 159.56, are still in excess of the statutory limit. She was notified of this decision and of her right to appeal to the social welfare appeals office.
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.
Question No. 292 answered with Question No. 62.
Questions Nos. 293 and 294 answered with Question No. 23.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:295 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs when a carer's allowance payment will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31793/01]
The person concerned applied for carer's allowance on 14 November 2001. The principal conditions for receipt of the allowance are that full-time care and attention is required and being provided to a relevant person and that the means test which applies is satisfied.
On consideration of the medical information submitted with the application in this case the person in respect of whom the allowance is being claimed is not considered to be in need of full time care and attention. The application was therefore refused.
Full-time care and attention for the purposes of carer's allowance means the care recipient is so disabled as to require continuous supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with his or her normal personal needs or continuous supervision to avoid being a danger to himself-herself. In addition, the care recipient must be so disabled as to be likely to require full-time care and attention for at least 12 months.
The claimant in this case was notified on 7 December 2001 of this decision and of her right of appeal to the social welfare appeals office.
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.