Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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147. 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. [20019/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Carer’s allowance (CA) is in payment to the person concerned since 14 August 2003 in respect of one care recipient who resides with her.

I confirm that my department received an application for CA from the person concerned on 10 November 2015 in respect of two additional care recipients, her mother and father, who reside elsewhere.

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. This means that the person requires from another person continual supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with normal bodily functions, or continual supervision in order to avoid danger to himself or herself, and is likely to require such full-time care and attention for at least 12 consecutive months

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 16 March 2016 of these decisions, the reasons for it and of her right of review and appeal.

The person concerned requested a review and submitted additional evidence in support of her application.

On review it was decided that one of the care recipients, her father, does require full-time care and attention but that her mother, the other care recipient does not.

In order to determine whether the person concerned is providing full-time care and attention, the matter was referred to a local social welfare inspector (SWI) on 21 June 2016. 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.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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148. 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. [20020/16]

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 29 April 2016.

The application was awarded to the person concerned on 5 July 2016 and the first payment will issue to their nominated post office on 28 July 2016.

Arrears of allowance due from 5 May 2016 to 28 July 2016, less jobseeker’s allowance paid during that period, will issue shortly.

The person concerned was notified on 5 July 2016 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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149. 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. [20021/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The application for carer’s allowance in respect of the person concerned was awarded on 7 June 2016 and the first payment issued to the person’s nominated bank account on 30 June 2016.

Any arrears of allowance due, less jobseeker’s allowance paid during that period, will issue shortly.

The person concerned was notified of these details on 7 June 2016.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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150. 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. [20022/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The application for carer’s allowance in respect of the person concerned was awarded on 9 June 2016 and the first payment issued to the person’s nominated bank account on 16 June 2016.

Arrears of allowance due from 14 April 2016 have issued to the person’s nominated bank account.

The person concerned was notified of these details on 9 June 2016.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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151. 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. [20023/16]

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 7 December 2015.

The application was referred to a local social welfare inspector (SWI) 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 deciding officer will make a decision as quickly as possible. The person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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152. 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. [20024/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The application for carer’s allowance in respect of the person concerned was awarded on 5 July 2016 and the first payment is due to issue to their nominated post office on 21 July 2016.

Arrears of allowance due from 2 June 2016 to 20 July 2016, less jobseeker’s allowance paid during that period, will issue shortly.

The person concerned was notified of these details on 5 July 2016.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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153. 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. [20026/16]

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 7 April 2016. Additional information, omitted from the application but necessary in order to make a decision, has been requested by a deciding officer. Once the information is received the application will be processed without delay and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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154. 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. [20027/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 16 June 2016. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection. These papers have been received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 27 June 2016 and the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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155. 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. [20031/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Carer’s allowance (CA) is in payment to the person concerned since 16 June 2005 in respect of one care recipient.

I confirm that my department received an application for (CA) from the person in question on the 11 March 2016 in respect of a 2nd care recipient. The application was referred to a local social welfare inspector (SWI) 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 deciding officer will make a decision and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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156. 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. [20032/16]

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 11 May 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.

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 for himself and his spouse.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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157. 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. [20044/16]

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.

CA is a means-tested social assistance payment, made to persons who are providing full-time care and attention to a person who has a disability such that they require that level of care.

The application 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.

In the meantime, if the means of the person concerned are insufficient to meet her needs she should apply for a means-tested supplementary welfare allowance from her local community welfare service.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.