Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 334: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when an appeal for the carer's allowance for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be finalised. [34820/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The person's application for carer's allowance was disallowed by a deciding officer on the grounds that he is working, on his holding, for more than ten hours per week. The person appealed this decision to the social welfare appeals office. In accordance with the statutory requirements, the relevant departmental papers, including a report from a social welfare inspector and a submission from the deciding officer, are being sought. The file will be forwarded to the appeal office for determination when these are to hand.

At present the person concerned is in receipt of unemployment assistance. Under social welfare legislation decisions regarding 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.