Vol. 550 No. 4
539 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo was refused the carer's allowance for providing full-time care to her elderly parents aged 81 and 88 respectively; and if this decision can be appealed. [8943/02]
The person concerned applied for carer's allowance on 5 December 2001 in respect of both her parents. The principal conditions for receipt of the allowance are that full-time care and attention is required and being provided and that the means test which applies is satisfied.
Full-time care and attention for the purposes of carer's allowance means that the care recipient is so disabled as to require continuous supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with their normal personal needs. 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.
Having examined all the medical evidence supplied, the Department's chief medical adviser expressed the opinion that the care recipients are not so disabled as to require full-time care and attention. The application was refused on that basis.
The person concerned was notified of this decision and of her right of appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. Her case has now been forwarded to the appeals office for determination, which will be in contact with the person concerned regarding the outcome of her appeal.
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.
