Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 July 2013
133. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Social Protection if an appeals officer will be appointed as soon as possible and review the case of a carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow; if she will review the situation and provide a timeframe for when the appeal decision will be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34064/13]
View answerI confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question on 4 December 2012. The person concerned was refused carers allowance on the grounds that the care recipient is not so disabled as to require full time care and attention as prescribed in regulations. She was notified of this decision, the reasons for it and of her right of review or appeal on 27 February 2013. Additional medical evidence was received and forwarded to the Department’s medical assessor for consideration. However, this information did not alter the opinion of the medical assessor and the decision remained unchanged. The person in question was informed of this on 8 June 2013. Subsequently the person concerned appealed this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office and submitted further medical evidence in support of the appeal. This additional evidence is currently being reviewed and the application is with a deciding officer for a decision. Once processed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
