Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 November 2004
308 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding an appeal for a one parent family payment claim by a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29021/04]
View answerThe person's application for one parent family payment was disallowed by a deciding officer on the grounds that the person's means exceeded the statutory limit. The person appealed against this decision and, following an oral hearing, the appeals officer disallowed the appeal on the basis that her income, derived from her employment, was in excess of the statutory limit. The person has been informed of this decision.
In the course of the hearing it emerged that the person had recently reduced her working hours, resulting in a significant reduction in her earnings. In the light of this change of circumstance, the appeals officer has referred the case back to the deciding officer for review. The person has been informed of this development.
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.
