Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 273: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the way in which his Department procured a breakdown of the income of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if an appeal for the carer's allowance for this person will be opened. [8545/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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One of the conditions for receiving a carer's allowance is that the person must satisfy a means test. All income is assessable as means but in the case of carer's allowance a weekly income disregard of €250 for a single person and €500 for a married or cohabiting couple apply. Any means in excess of the disregards are assessable.

The means of the person concerned were established following an interview by an investigative officer of my Department. The income assessed as means consists of €302.40 per week from farm income and €143.77 derived from €64,504.77 capital. The €250 income disregard was applied to his total income of €446 giving him weekly means equate of €196.17.

The income disregards were improved in the 2005 budget and these become effective from April 2005. The new income disregards were applied to his total income and these gave him weekly means of €160.41. His means still exceed the statutory limit for receipt of the allowance. The person concerned is employed also for more than ten hours per week which is in excess of the amount prescribed in regulations. Accordingly, his claim for carer's allowance was refused.

He was notified of the original decision the reasons for it and of his right to appeal the social welfare appeals office on 2 February 2005. Notification of the revised decision, issued to him on 9 March 2005, together with form SWA01 for completion, should he wish to appeal the decision. A breakdown of how his means were assessed has also issued.

Under social welfare legislation decisions in relation to 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.