Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Workers and Unemployed Action Group) | Oireachtas source

I have seen it over the past 25 years and I know that two years or 18 months ago, people who were being refused now would have got it without any difficulty. They should be getting it and I want the Minister of State to address that point. There has been a political instruction to the Department to change the criteria for carer's allowance so it can be refused.

The delay in applications is another disgrace. I heard a case recently where it took 51 weeks to get a decision for a carer looking after a quadriplegic, wheelchair-bound child whose application should have been approved within six to eight weeks if right was right. The Minister of State should address that issue urgently.

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