Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 324: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when an appeal for the one-parent family allowance and deserted wife's benefit will be finalised for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [28210/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The person concerned was in receipt of deserted wife's benefit. Following a review of her claim by a social welfare inspector a deciding officer disallowed payment with effect from 10 February 2005 on the grounds that she had been cohabiting from that date until 24 August 2005. As a consequence, she is deemed to have been overpaid a total of €4,320.40. The person has appealed against this decision to the social welfare appeals office and the relevant papers and comments of the deciding officer on the matters raised in the appeal were sought. As soon as these are available the case will be referred to an appeals officer for consideration.

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.