Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 215: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if an appeal can be opened on behalf of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo in respect of their claim for the carer's allowance which was refused. [39701/05]

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 that 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 papers have been referred to the appeals officer, who proposes to hold an oral hearing in the case. 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. Those officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in regard to making such decisions.