Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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136. 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. [20131/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Carer's Allowance (CA) is a 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 and who satisfy a means test.

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.

The person concerned was refused CA in 2015 as she was working outside the home for more than 15 hours per week. This decision was upheld on appeal.

The person concerned re-applied on 8 February 2016 and her application was again refused as she was working over 15 hours per week.

When the person concerned provided evidence to show that she was reducing her hours of employment to a maximum of 15 hours per week from 1 July 2016, CA was awarded to her with effect from the date the hours were reduced.

The first payment is due to issue to the person’s nominated bank account on 7 July 2016 and she was notified of these details on 28 June 2016.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.