Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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476. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the rules in respect of returning to work during the application, review or appeal process for carer's benefit, as it has been reported to this Deputy that the Social Protection Office in Longford and the Appeals Office are advising applicants and appellants that they can return to work during the aforementioned processes, and then they are rejected for payment for that very reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13162/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Carer's benefit is a payment for insured people who have recently left the workforce and are providing full-time care and attention to certain people who require that level of care.

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.

This is the only advice which should be offered by my Department to applicants interested in working while claiming carer's benefit. I am unable to verify whether incorrect information in this regard has been given by staff members but I have arranged for a reminder to issue to all relevant staff as to the correct advice in relation to working while claiming or in receipt of carer’s benefit.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.