Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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132. To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made in relation to an application made in February 2016 by a person (details supplied) under the carer's allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13897/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I confirm that my department is in receipt of an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned. 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.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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133. 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. [13919/16]

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 29 April 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.

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.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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134. 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. [13920/16]

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 10 November 2015 in respect of two care recipients. 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 in respect of either care recipient and CA was refused.

The person concerned was notified on 16 March 2016 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal. The person concerned has requested a review and submitted additional evidence in support of her application. The review is currently being processed and once completed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.