Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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459. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the carer's allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9504/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 16 February 2016.

The application was referred to a local social welfare inspector (SWI) on 12 April 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.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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460. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the carer's allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9505/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 9 October 2015.

The application was referred to a local social welfare inspector (SWI) on 12 March 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 and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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461. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the carer's allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9507/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Carer's Allowance (CA) has been in payment to the person concerned for one care recipient since 29 May 2008. CA was awarded on 14 April 2016 in respect of a 2nd care recipient.

The first payment of CA at the higher rate of payment issued to her nominated post office on the 21 April 2016. Arrears of allowance due from the 10 December 2015 have also issued to the post office. The person concerned was notified of these details on the 14 April 2016.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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462. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the carer's allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9506/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person concerned on 13 January 2016. Additional information in relation to the person’s application was requested by a deciding officer on 4 April 2016 and again on 28 April 2016. The DO requires this missing information in order to make a decision on the person’s eligibility for CA. Once the information is received the application will be processed and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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463. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the carer's allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9508/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The application for carer’s allowance (CA) in respect of the person concerned was awarded on 21 April 2016. The first payment of CA issued to the person’s nominated post office on the 21 April 2016. Arrears of allowance due from 3 December 2015 have also issued to the post office. The person concerned was notified of these details on the 21 April 2016.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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464. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the carer's allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9509/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 17 November 2015.

The application was referred to a local social welfare inspector (SWI) on 28 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.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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465. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the carer's allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9529/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The application for carer’s allowance in respect of the person concerned was awarded on 12 April 2016 and the first payment issued to the person’s nominated bank account on 21 April 2016.

Arrears of allowance due from 26 November 2015 were also issued to the bank on 21 April 2016. The person concerned was notified of these details on 12 April 2016.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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466. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the carer's allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9530/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 8 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 her needs she should apply for a means-tested supplementary welfare allowance from her local community welfare service.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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468. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the carer's allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9524/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 19 April 2016. However as the person concerned is on unpaid leave from her employment, it appears that carer’s benefit (CARB) may the more appropriate payment to claim. Accordingly, an application form for CARB has issued. On receipt, the entitlement to CARB will be examined and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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469. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the carer's allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9526/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who has decided to convene an oral hearing in this case.

Every effort will be made to hear the case as quickly as possible and the appellant will be informed when arrangements for the oral hearing have been made.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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470. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the carer's allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9527/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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CA was awarded to the person concerned on 19 April 2016 for the period 3 December 2015 to 23 March 2016 and the full entitlement for that period has been paid.

CA entitlement ceased from 24 March 2016 to 11 May 2016 as the person concerned was working in excess of 15 hours per week outside the home, contrary to the conditions for the CA scheme. CA has been reinstated from 12 May 2016 and payment will be available in the nominated post office on that date. The person concerned was notified of these details on 5 May 2016.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.