John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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268. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if a decision not to grant a carer's llowance will be reviewed in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow. [31866/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The person concerned was refused carers allowance on the grounds that the disability of the care recipient was not such there was a requirement for full-time care and attention as prescribed in regulations and that the carer was not providing full-time care and attention as required. The person in question was notified on 19 February 2014 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.

The person concerned requested a review of this decision. The outcome of which was that while it was decided that the care recipient did require full-time care and attention, the decision in relation to the provision of full-time care remained unchanged.

The person concerned appealed this decision and the case was submitted to the Social Welfare Appeals office for determination. An Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, disallowed the appeal. The person concerned was notified on 28 July 2015 of the Appeals Officer decision and was provided at that time with a detailed explanation of the basis for this 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. If circumstances have changed, it is open to the person concerned to submit a new application for carer’s allowance.