Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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495. To ask the Minister for Social Protection to expedite an application by a person (details supplied) under the carer's allowance scheme. [9772/16]

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 3 March 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.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.