Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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297. To ask the Minister for Social Protection to expedite an application by a person (details supplied) under the carer's allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15517/16]

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 11 September 2015.

CA in respect of care recipients under 16 years of age may be considered only where domiciliary care allowance (DCA) is being paid in respect of that care recipient.

As DCA is not being paid in respect of the care recipient, the application for CA has been refused. The person concerned was notified on 5 March 2016 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.

The person concerned has appealed this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) on 18 May 2016. The department will prepare a submission, as required by the SWAO, as soon as possible and the file will be sent to the SWAO for determination.

If DCA is approved in the future, the person in question should contact CA section immediately in relation to their potential eligibility for that scheme which will then be reviewed.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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298. To ask the Minister for Social Protection to expedite an application by a person (details supplied) under the carer's allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15519/16]

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 13 January 2016. The application was refused by a deciding officer (DO) on the grounds that the person concerned was working outside the home for more than 15 hours per week contrary to the conditions for receipt of CA.

She was notified on 6 May 2016 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.

The person concerned has appealed this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) on 31 May 2016. My department will prepare a submission, as required by the SWAO, as soon as possible and the file will be sent to the SWAO for determination.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.