Vol. 538 No. 4
101 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason more than three months have passed since a person (details supplied) in County Mayo applied for a carer's allowance; the further reason the process is taking so long; and when a decision on the application will issue. [18249/01]
The person concerned applied for carer's allowance on 5 March 2001. She has been assessed with weekly means of £44.26 derived from her spouse's earnings and farming. Her weekly entitlement to carer's allowance at the date of her claim was £94 per week. However, as she was in receipt of unemployment benefit at £85.50 personal rate and £13.20 child dependant allowance, there was no advantage to her in claiming carer's allowance at that stage.
On 28 March 2001 the case was submitted to an investigation officer of the Department for a means assessment and to determine that the conditions for receipt of carer's allowance are satisfied. His completed report was received in the carer's allowance section on 12 June 2001.
However, arising from the improvement which I introduced this year in the carer's allowance means tests, she qualifies for a personal rate of carer's allowance amounting to £132.80 with effect from 5 April 2001. This represents the maximum weekly rate paid to a person under 66 years of age caring for more than one care recipient.
Arrangements are currently being made to have the relevant books issued to her designated post office as soon as possible. She will be notified when the books are available there for collection. Arrears of allowance due will issue shortly thereafter.
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.
