Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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280. 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. [19165/16]

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 26 May 2016.

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 is engaged in farming as well as being a part-time relief postwoman, the matter was referred to a local social welfare inspector (SWI) on 17 June 2016 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 hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.