Vol. 537 No. 3
207 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the decision which has been made regarding a carer's allowance appeal for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if the care recipient can be assessed by the Department's medical officer at his home. [16225/01]
The person concerned applied for carer's allowance on 28 February 2001. The medical details submitted in the application were insufficient to determine whether the person being cared for required full-time care and attention. Additional medical evidence was therefore requested and received by my Department on 22 April 2001. The Department's chief medical adviser examined all the evidence provided and expressed the opinion that the care recipient is not so disabled as to require full-time care and attention as prescribed in regulations. The application was accordingly disallowed.
An appeal on the person's behalf has now been received at the social welfare appeals office. A submission on the case has been requested from the deciding officer and, when completed, will be referred to an appeals officer for consideration. The question as to whether a medical examination of the care recipient at his home is necessary will then be considered. 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 making such decisions.
