Written answers

Wednesday, 20 April 2016

Department of Social Protection

Carer's Allowance Applications

Photo of Robert TroyRobert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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68. To ask the Minister for Social Protection to expedite an application under the carer's allowance scheme by a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath. [7626/16]

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Department has no record of an application for carer’s allowance from the person concerned. I can confirm that the department received an application for disability allowance from the above named person on 1 February 2016.

On 18 April 2016 the person concerned was requested to complete parts of the application form which were left blank and to supply supporting documentation as requested on the application form and as required by the deciding officer in order to make a decision on his eligibility. On receipt of this information a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome.

Photo of Robert TroyRobert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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69. To ask the Minister for Social Protection to expedite an application under the carer's allowance scheme by a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath. [7627/16]

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan 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 15 February 2016. Unfortunately, the average time taken at present to decide a new application is running at 19 weeks. Additional resources have been provided to the CA section in order to improve the waiting times for new applications and they are working hard to make this happen.

Frequently, delays are outside the control of the Department and are caused by the customer failing to fully complete the claim form or failing to attach the supporting documentation that is requested on the application form.

This application will be processed as quickly as possible and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

In the meantime, if the means of the person concerned are insufficient to meet his needs he should apply for a means-tested supplementary welfare allowance from his local community welfare service.

Photo of Robert TroyRobert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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70. To ask the Minister for Social Protection to expedite an application under the carer's allowance scheme by a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath. [7628/16]

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan 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 4 December 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 3 February 2016 of this decision, the reason for it and of his right of review and appeal within 21 days.

Photo of Robert TroyRobert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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71. To ask the Minister for Social Protection to expedite an application under the carer's allowance scheme by a person (details supplied) in County Longford. [7629/16]

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan 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 16 October 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 9 February 2016 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal within 21 days.

It is open to the person in question to make a new application for carer’s allowance if she wishes.

Photo of Robert TroyRobert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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72. To ask the Minister for Social Protection to expedite an application under the carer's allowance scheme by a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath. [7630/16]

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The application for carer’s allowance in respect of the person concerned was awarded on 1 February 2016 and the first payment issued to the person’s bank nominated bank account on 4 February 2016.

Arrears of allowance due from 3 September 2015 were also issued to the bank. The person concerned was notified of these details on 1 February 2016.

Photo of Robert TroyRobert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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73. To ask the Minister for Social Protection to expedite an application under the carer's allowance scheme by a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath. [7631/16]

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I confirm that the Department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person concerned on 18 February 2016. Unfortunately, the average time taken at present to decide a new application is running at 19 weeks. Additional resources have been provided to the CA section in order to improve the waiting times for new applications and they are working hard to make this happen.

Frequently, delays are outside the control of the Department and are caused by the customer failing to fully complete the claim form or failing to attach the supporting documentation that is requested on the application form.

This application will be processed as quickly as possible and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome. In the meantime, the person concerned is in receipt of a weekly social welfare support.

Photo of Robert TroyRobert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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74. To ask the Minister for Social Protection to expedite an application under the carer's allowance scheme by a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath. [7632/16]

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan 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 4 November 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 10 February 2016 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.

Photo of Robert TroyRobert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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75. To ask the Minister for Social Protection to expedite an application under the carer's allowance scheme by a person (details supplied) in County Longford. [7633/16]

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person concerned on 1 December 2015. Unfortunately, the average time taken at present to decide a new application is running at 19 weeks. Additional resources have been provided to the CA section in order to improve the waiting times for new applications and they are working hard to make this happen.

Frequently, delays are outside the control of the Department and are caused by the customer failing to fully complete the claim form or failing to attach the supporting documentation that is requested on the application form.

This application will be processed as quickly as possible and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome. In the meantime, the person concerned is in receipt of a weekly invalidity pension, including an increase for a qualified adult and a disablement pension.

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