Dick Spring
Ceist:295 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason his Department has rejected the medical evidence submitted in support of a carer's allowance application (details supplied). [3306/02]
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Appeals.
The person concerned applied for carer's benefit on 19 November 2001. Full-time care and attention for the purposes of carer's benefit means that the care recipient's disability is such that it requires continuous supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with his or her normal personal needs. All medical evidence provided with this application was considered by the Department's medical advisor, who advised that, on the basis of the evidence, the care recipient is not in need of full time care and attention as required by the legislation. Accordingly, the application was refused.
The person concerned was notified of this decision and of his right of appeal to the social welfare appeals office on 21 January 2002.
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.
Michael Ring
Ceist:296 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs when a widows non-contributory pension appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be finalised; and if the Minister has made changes in relation to the decision made for this person. [3386/02]
The appeal of the person concerned was finalised in November 2001 and she was notified of the outcome by the appeals office on 14 November 2001. The appeals officer upheld the deciding officer's decision to refuse her application for pension on the grounds that she had failed to satisfactorily account for the disposal of certain capital.
If the person concerned substantiates the disposal of the capital involved, her entitlement to widow's non-contributory pension can be reconsidered.
Under social welfare legislation, decisions on claims are made by deciding officers and appeals officers. These officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in making such decisions.