Marc MacSharry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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445. To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) will have their carers benefit payment reinstated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27286/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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It is a condition for receipt of Carer's Benefit (CARB) that the person being cared for must have a disability whose effect is that they require full-time care and attention.

This is defined as requiring from another person, continual supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with normal bodily functions or continuous supervision in order to avoid danger to him or herself.

The care recipient suffered injury in a road traffic accident in August 2015 and CB was initially awarded for a period of 6 months up to 31 August 2016, as it was decided that he required full-time care for that period.

Prior to the expiry of this 6 month period, the carer submitted further evidence in support of a claim for continued payment.

This evidence was examined and the deciding officer decided that this evidence did not indicate that the requirement for full-time care was satisfied.

The person concerned was notified on 26 July 2016 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.

An appeal was received on 24 August 2016 and the additional evidence submitted is currently being reviewed. If the review outcome is in favour of the carer, she will be notified of the decision in writing.

Otherwise the case will be forwarded to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office for their adjudication.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.