Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 385: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be approved and awarded the respite care grant. [8385/07]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The person's application for respite care grant was disallowed by a Deciding Officer who, having considered the medical evidence furnished in support of the claim and the views of the Department's Chief Medical Advisor decided that the person concerned was not entitled to a respite care grant.

The decision was appealed to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. The Appeals Officer, having considered all the available evidence, disallowed the appeal on the grounds that the person being cared for was not so incapacitated as to require full time care and attention as laid down in the respite care legislation.

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.