Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)

Will the Minister explain how an Irish emigrant who returned from the United States to care for her elderly mother was denied the carer's allowance because she could not establish that she was permanently living here, even though she had applied for that allowance? The Minister ignored the fact that a second test applies to the carer's allowance, namely, that one must provide full-time care and attention and the person receiving the care must require same. The habitual residence clause should not be required when the test applying to the need for full-time care exists.

A woman from outside the European Union who has lived here for approximately two years with a sick child is in receipt of child benefit, yet has been denied the carer's allowance by the Department. Is it not a fallacy to have the habitual residence clause in place specifically for the carer's allowance when other eligibility tests apply?

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