David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)

Does the Minister agree that matters are getting worse in the Department with regard to carers? The target was 80% in eight weeks in 2001 and 26% was achieved, now the target is 70% in 13 weeks and 50% of that has been achieved. Will the Minister comment on that and tell us why it is taking so long for the Department to reach the target?

In cases where carer's allowance is stopped, is it the Department's policy to tell the applicant that he or she has the right to appeal the decision? In the event of applications being turned down, applicants are invited to write to the appeals office for a form on which to make an appeal. Will the Minister make a change to the effect that every time an application is refused or if an entitlement is altered, an appeal form will be automatically sent out with the refusal letter?

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