Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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130. To ask the Minister for Social Protection why he does not accept that a person (details supplied) cares for another person 24 hours a day; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18650/16]

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 November 2015.

It is a condition for receipt of a CA that the carer must be providing full-time care and attention. It is a further condition that the person being cared for must require full-time care and attention.

The evidence submitted in support of this application was examined and a deciding officer (DO) decided that the person in question was not entitled to CA on the grounds that neither of these conditions was satisfied.

The person concerned was notified on 22 February 2016 of this decision, the reasons for it and of her right of review and appeal.

The person concerned requested a review of this decision and submitted additional evidence in support. On review of the supplementary information, it has been decided that the person being cared for does require full-time care and attention.

In relation to the condition of provision of full-time care, the deciding officer has referred the application to a local social welfare investigative officer (SWI) to assess the level of care being provided and confirm that all the conditions for receipt of carer’s allowance are satisfied. Once the SWI has reported, the review will be completed and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.