Michael Ring
Question:662 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be approved and paid the carer's benefit. [13284/02]
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
The person concerned applied for carer's benefit on 27 May 2002. The principal conditions for receipt of the benefit are that full-time care and attention is required and being provided. A person must also satisfy certain PRSI conditions and have been in remunerative full-time insurable employment for the three month period immediately prior to making their claim.
The information provided with this application was insufficient to determine entitlement. My Department has been in recent contact with him to supply all necessary information. The application will be further examined on receipt of the relevant information and a decision will then be issued directly to the person concerned.
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.
Michael Ring
Question:663 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo is being denied unemployment benefit when they are genuinely, consistently and actively seeking employment. [13285/02]
The unemployment benefit claim of the person concerned was disallowed as the deciding officer considered, on the basis of the evidence available to him, that he was not genuinely seeking work.
The person concerned appealed that decision to the social welfare appeals office. An appeal was opened on 13 June 2002 and the case will now be referred to an appeals officer for consideration.
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.
Michael Ring
Question:664 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs when a carer's allowance will be finalised for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [13286/02]
The person concerned applied for a carer's allowance on 23 January 2002. 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.
The application was refused on the basis that, having examined all the medical evidence submitted in this case, my Department's chief medical advisor expressed the opinion that, the care recipient is not so invalided or disabled as to require full-time care and attention as prescribed in regulations. She was notified of this decision and of her right of appeal to the social welfare appeals office on 29 April 2002.
On foot of your previous representations, my Department's chief medical adviser has requested that the care recipient be referred for a medical examination. Arrangements are currently being made for the care recipient to attend for this medical examination. They will be notified of the exact date and time of this examination as soon as the necessary arrangements have been completed.
When the results of the medical examination are available, her entitlement to a carer's allowance will immediately be examined and she will be notified directly of the outcome.
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.
Michael Ring
Question:665 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs when an appeal for carer's allowance will be finalised for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [13288/02]
The person concerned applied for carer's allowance on 29 September 2001. A principal condition for receipt of the allowance is that full-time care and attention is required and being provided.
All medical information submitted with this application was examined by my Department's chief medical advisor. He expressed the opinion that the person being cared for does not require full-time care and attention and the application was therefore refused. The person concerned was notified of this decision on 8 November 2001 and of her right to appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. No appeal was lodged.
Her case has been forwarded to the social welfare appeals office which will be in direct contact with her in due course.
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.