Vol. 553 No. 5
397 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding the payment of disability benefit to a person in receipt of a contributory widow's pension; if both payments can be made to the same person in view of the fact two separate people made the neces sary PRSI contributions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14710/02]
Where a person who is in receipt of a widow or widower's pension or one-parent family payment satisfies the relevant contribution conditions, he or she may be entitled to receive disability benefit or unemployment benefit at half-rate for a period of up to 15 months, in addition to their main payment. Furthermore, where a person is entitled to a widow or widower's pension or one-parent family payment at a reduced rate, for example, on the basis of insufficient PRSI contributions or on means grounds, the rate of that payment is increased to the maximum level for the duration of their claim for disability or unemployment benefit.
The primary objective of the social welfare system is to provide for the income support needs of individuals and, as a general rule, only one social welfare payment is payable to an individual at any one time. However, as already outlined, there are exceptions made to this rule for those receiving widow/widower's pensions and one-parent family payment. The qualifying conditions for the widow/widower's pension are unique in that they can be satisfied on either the insurance record of the claimant or their late spouse. This is intended to make qualification for a pension as easy as possible and is not something which would justify the making of the payment in addition to other benefits.
398 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo was not approved for a carer's allowance; and if this will be investigated. [14763/02]
My Department received an application for carer's allowance from the person concerned on 21 February 2002. The principal conditions for receipt of the allowance are that full-time care and attention are required and being provided and that the means test which applies is satisfied. While the medical eligibility conditions are satisfied, her application was referred to an investigative officer of the Department for a means assessment. She was requested on several occasions to forward details of her spouse's earnings from employment, in order to complete the means assessment. However, she failed to provide the requested information. Consequently, her application for carer's allowance was refused. She was notified of this decision on 25 May 2002 and of her right to appeal to the social welfare appeals office. No appeal has been lodged. On receipt of the necessary information, her entitlement to carer's allowance will be further examined and she will be notified directly of the outcome. Under social welfare legislation, decisions on 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.
