Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 178: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if the carers benefit will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [11290/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The person's application for carer's benefit was disallowed by a deciding officer on the grounds that the person was not engaged in remunerative employment prior to her claim as she was on a career break from the Department of Education and Science. The person appealed this decision to the social welfare appeals office and an oral hearing was held on 28 February 2006.

Having considered all of the available evidence, including that adduced at the oral hearing, the appeals officer decided that the person cannot be considered to be in remunerative full-time employment as an employed contributor and, accordingly, does not satisfy the relevant legislative criteria for qualification for carer's benefit. The person was notified of the decision of the appeals officer on 8 March 2006. The case is at present under review by the appeals officer following representations on behalf of the appellant. The appellant will be advised of the outcome in due course. It is open to the appellant to apply for carer's allowance.

Under social welfare legislation decisions on 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.