Paul Connaughton (Galway East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Can the application process for the carer's allowance be expedited? Last Saturday, an individual informed me that an application for the payment would take 14 weeks to process. The person in need of care does not want to enter full-time care but needs care at a specific time. When people in such circumstances find someone who will provide help they find the application process for the carer's allowance and fair deal schemes takes a long time. People who are at risk are being told it will take three months to deal with their cases. Is it possible the Department could expedite the process?