Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 104: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when an oral hearing will be scheduled for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo to finalise their carer's allowance appeal. [15831/06]

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 employed outside the home for more than ten hours per week. The person appealed this decision to the social welfare appeals office, which acts independently of my Department. In accordance with the statutory requirements the relevant departmental papers, including a submission from the deciding officer, were sought. The papers have been referred to the appeals officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing in the case in due course.

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 making such decisions.