Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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411. 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. [12546/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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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.

Where the care recipient is less than 16 years of age a domiciliary care allowance (DCA) must be in payment for them.

The person concerned applied for CA on 9 January 2015 in respect of care being provided for her 11 year old son. As DCA was not in payment for him, CA was disallowed on 15 April 2015. The person concerned appealed this decision and the appeal was disallowed on 19 October 2015.

The person concerned re-applied for CA on 8 February 2016 following a successful appeal against the refusal of her application for DCA.

A person can be considered to be providing full-time care and attention where they are engaged in employment, self-employment or on training courses outside the home for a maximum of 15 hours per week, provided that they can show to the satisfaction of a deciding officer that adequate care has been provided for the care recipient in their absence.

As the person concerned does not satisfy this condition in that she is working in excess of 15 hours per week, her application for CA must be refused. The person in question has indicated to CA section staff that she will reduce her hours if CA may be awarded and someone from that area will be in touch with her to discuss how this may be facilitated within the scope of the statutory conditions for award of CA.

The person concerned was notified on 7 May 2016 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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412. 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. [12549/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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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.

In order to assist the deciding officer (DO) to determine entitlement in this case, the application was referred to a local social welfare inspector (SWI) 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 decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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413. 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. [12550/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I confirm that my department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 5 February 2016.

The application was referred to a local social welfare inspector (SWI) 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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414. 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. [12553/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Carer's allowance (CA) was awarded to the person concerned on 17 May 2016 and the first payment issued to their nominated post office on 26 May 2016. Arrears of allowance due from 11 February 2016 to 25 May 2016 have also issued.

The person concerned was notified on 17 May 2016 of this decision.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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415. 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. [12555/16]

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 hold an oral hearing in this case on 1 June 2016. The person concerned has been notified of the arrangements for the hearing.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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416. 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. [12580/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Carer’s allowance was awarded to the person concerned on 17 May 2016 and the first payment issued to their nominated bank account on 26 May 2016.

Arrears of allowance due from 15 October 2015 to 25 May 2016 have also issued.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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417. 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. [12582/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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An application for carer's allowance (CA) was received from the person concerned on 16 February 2016. 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.

In order to assist the deciding officer to determine the person’s entitlement, the application was referred to a local social welfare inspector (SWI) to assess the level of care being provided, assess means and confirm that all the conditions for receipt of CA are satisfied.

Once the SWI has reported, a decision will be made 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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418. 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. [12583/16]

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 hold an oral hearing in this case on 1 June 2016. The person concerned has been notified of the arrangements for the hearing. I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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419. 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. [12584/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I confirm that my department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 16 February 2016. Subject to all other conditions being satisfied, CA may be paid in respect of a care recipient who is under 16 years of age only where domiciliary care allowance is awarded in respect of that child.

The person concerned was refused CA on the grounds that the child being cared for is under 16 and domiciliary care allowance is not awarded in respect of that child. The person concerned was notified on 11 April 2016 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.

If domiciliary care allowance is granted in respect of this child in the future, the position in relation to entitlement to CA may be reviewed.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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420. 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. [12586/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 25 May 2016, who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing. I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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421. 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. [12587/16]

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 hold an oral hearing in this case on 14 June 2016. The person concerned has been notified of the arrangements for the hearing. I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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422. 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. [12588/16]

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 7 March 2016. Unfortunately, there are currently delays in the processing of new applications. 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.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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423. 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. [12589/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 25 May 2016, who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing. I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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424. 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. [12592/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, has decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision. The person concerned has been notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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425. 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. [12593/16]

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 22 February 2016. Unfortunately, there are currently delays in the processing of new applications.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.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.