The person concerned applied for carer's allowance on 8 May 2002, in respect of care provided to his wife and son. With regard to his application in respect of his wife, a medical assessor of my Department deemed that full time care and attention was not required in this case. With regard to the application in respect of his son certain documentary evidence which was requested on 21 May 2002 and again on 24 June 2002 was not received. My Department issued a letter to him on 15 August 2002, advising that his claim in respect of his son was deemed to have been withdrawn on the basis he had not provided the information requested. My Department has since been in contact with the person concerned and he has again been requested to forward the details required. Additional medical information was received from him in respect of his spouse on 4 October 2002. This medical information has been referred to my Department's medical assessor for consideration.
On receipt of the required information in respect of his son and the medical assessor's report in respect of his wife, his application will be further considered and he will be immediately notified 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 regard to making such decisions.