Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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159. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if he will grant an allowance to a person (details supplied) under the carer's allowance scheme. [20054/16]

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 3 March 2016.

Carer's Allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment, made to persons who are providing full-time care and attention to people who have a disability such that they require that level of care.

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.

This application was refused on the grounds that person concerned was working outside the home for more than 15 hours per week.

The person concerned was notified on 18 April 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). A submission in support of the decision is being prepared, as requested of the Department by the SWAO, and will shortly be forwarded to that office for determination.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.