Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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390. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in determination of an appeal for carer's allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1529/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question on the 17th of September 2012. The person concerned was refused carers allowance on the grounds that the care recipient is not so disabled as to require full time care and attention as prescribed in regulations. She was notified of this decision and the reason for it. The person concerned appealed this decision.

On the 19th of June 2013 file was submitted to the Social Welfare Appeals office for determination. The Social Welfare Appeals Office carried out all the necessary investigations on this claim and subsequently the appeal was disallowed as the qualifying conditions for carers allowance have not been met. The person concerned was notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision on 2nd of January 2014 and the reasons for the Appeals Officer’s decision to disallow the appeal. Under Social Welfare legislation, the decision of an Appeals Officer is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed in the light of additional evidence or new facts.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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391. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the progress made to date in the determination of an appeal for carer's allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1531/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Carer’s allowance was stopped on 19th September 2013 in respect of the person in question as, following a review, it was decided that the medical criteria were no longer satisfied.

In order for a child under 16 years to be deemed eligible for carer's allowance, domiciliary care allowance must be in payment for that child. In those circumstances, the child is deemed to be automatically medically eligible for carer’s allowance.

Once the child reaches 16 years of age entitled to domiciliary care allowance ceases, this results in a review of the continuing entitlement to carer’s allowance.

The person in question has appealed this decision. All the necessary papers have recently been submitted to the Social Welfare Appeals Office for determination. The Social Welfare Appeals Office will be in touch with the person directly regarding the progress of the appeal.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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392. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the progress made to date in determination of a review in respect of application for carer's allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1534/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The person in question was awarded carers allowance from 6th May 2010. Following a recent control check review the means for the person concerned have been re-assessed, and it has been decided that his means exceed the statutory limit. The claim has been disallowed and payment will cease from 16th January 2013. The person concerned was notified of this decision on the 9th of January 2014 the reasons for it and of his right of review or appeal.