Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 168: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if and when carer's allowance will be restored in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare in view of the issues of contention that have been restored; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13320/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The person concerned is in receipt of carer's allowance in respect of one care recipient. An additional application for carer's allowance in respect of a second care recipient was made and was refused on the 15th April 2011. It was determined that full time care and attention was not being provided and that the claimant had been working more than 15 hours a week. The claimant was notified of the decision and of their right of review or appeal, within 21 days to the independent social welfare appeals office.

Given that we now understand that the claimant is no longer working for over 15 hours per week and that circumstances surrounding the care of the second care recipient may have changed, her claim will be reviewed. She will be notified of the outcome of the review in due course.

One of the statutory conditions for the receipt of carer's allowance is that the carer must not be working outside of the home for 15 hours a week or more. The claimant has therefore been assessed with an overpayment for the period of time during which she was working over 15 hours per week. Again the person concerned was notified of the decision and of their right of review or appeal, within 21 days to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office.