asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason old age pensioners who had been in receipt of prescribed relative allowances from his Department are having their claims disallowed even though the circumstances in the particular case have not changed.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
267.
The conditions for payment of a prescribed relative allowance provide that the person concerned must be so incapacitated as to require full time care and attention. A routine review of the continuing entitlement to the payment of the allowance is accordingly an ongoing feature of the administration of the scheme.
In the course of the review it comes to light from time to time that a prescribed relative, because of the nature of his activities, could not reasonably be in a position to provide the necessary care and attention on a full time basis. In such a situation the deciding officer may decide to terminate the allowance in fulfilment of his statutory obligations. In all such cases there is a right of appeal to an appeals officer.