Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 338: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Carlow will receive a decision on their application for carer's allowance. [21292/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I confirm that the department is in receipt of an application for carer's allowance from the person in question. On completion of the necessary investigations relating to all aspects of her case a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 339: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) was refused hearing aid benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21321/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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In order to qualify for the audiological benefit scheme, certain PRSI conditions must be met. Persons aged 25 year or over must have:

(a) paid a total of 260 reckonable PRSI contributions since first starting work; and

(b) have 39 such contributions paid or credited in the tax years on which the particular claim is based.

In this instance, as the person concerned is aged over 66, several years can be considered in order for him to satisfy this second condition - 1998/99 or 2003 or 2004. Only PRSI contributions paid at classes A, E, H, or P are reckonable for the purposes of this scheme. The person concerned was self-employed since at least 1988 and has paid PRSI at Class S. As this class of contribution is not reckonable for this benefit, unfortunately, the person concerned does not qualify.