Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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58. To ask the Minister for Social Protection to expedite an application by a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath under the carer's allowance scheme. [7171/16]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I confirm that the department received an application for Carer’s Allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 10 August 2015. It is a condition for receipt of a CA that the person being cared for must have a disability whose effect is that they require full-time care and attention.

This is defined as requiring from another person, continual supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with normal bodily functions or continuous supervision in order to avoid danger to him or herself and likely to require that level of care for at least twelve months.

The evidence submitted in support of this application was examined and the deciding officer decided that this evidence did not indicate that the requirement for full-time care was satisfied.

The person concerned was notified on 30 November 2015 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal. The person concerned has requested a review and submitted additional evidence in support of her application. The review is currently being processed and once completed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

The Department expects to be in a position to complete the review shortly.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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59. To ask the Minister for Social Protection when she will restore a carer's allowance to a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7180/16]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Carer’s allowance (CA) was in payment to the person concerned from 15 April 2010 to 27 January 2016.

It is a condition for receipt of CA that the carer must remain resident in the State and must co-operate with a Social Welfare Inspector investigating continued entitlement. CA for the person concerned was suspended from 27 January 2016 due to evidence that the carer had left the State. Notice of this suspension issued to her last known address on 22 January 2016.

The matter was then referred to a local social welfare inspector (SWI) to determine what period the carer may have been absent from the State and to determine whether all the conditions for receipt of CA were satisfied.

The person concerned was notified on 24 March 2016 that her payment had been disallowed as she had failed to co-operate with the SWI as required by legislation and she was notified of her right of appeal.