Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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234. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for carer's benefit in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32935/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I confirm that my department received an application for carer’s benefit (CARB) from the person concerned on 21 June 2016.

The person concerned is in receipt of widow’s contributory pension (WCP).

Under social welfare legislation, CARB and WCP cannot be paid concurrently.

However, a recipient of WCP can qualify for carer’s allowance (CA) at half-rate and retain their WCP. CA has some similar conditions to CARB but is means-tested.

A letter issued on 28 October 2016 setting out the options available to the person concerned. If she wishes to receive CARB, she will have to give up her WCP for the duration of her CARB claim, which is a maximum of 104 weeks for each person being cared for.

Alternatively, she can apply for CA. An application for carer’s allowance (CR1) has issued to her to facilitate her claiming that allowance, which is means tested if she so wishes.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.