Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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157. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) in County Offaly under the carer's allowance scheme, including when the person will receive a decision. [4600/16]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Carer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment, made to persons who are providing full-time care and attention to a person who has a disability such that they require that level of care.

I confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 20 January 2015 in respect of her husband.

That application was refused on the grounds that the evidence submitted did not show that the person being cared for required full-time care and attention.

The person concerned appealed that decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office but that appeal was disallowed on 21 August 2015.

Under Social Welfare legislation, the decision of an Appeals Officer is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed in the light of relevant additional evidence or new facts.

The person concerned submitted a new application for CA on 30 October 2015 in respect of her husband and another care recipient.

The application was referred to a local social welfare inspector (SWI) on 11 January 2016 to assess the level of care being provided, assess means and confirm that all the conditions for receipt of carer’s allowance are satisfied. Once the SWI has reported, a deciding officer will make a decision as quickly as possible. The person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.