Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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370. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the criteria that must be followed and the entitlements if carers becomes sick (details supplied), if they are allowed to be sick and receive their payment; and the length of time can they be sick before their allowance is affected. [34498/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Carer's Allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment, made to persons who are providing full-time care and attention to a person whose care needs are such that they require from their carer 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 and likely to require that level of care for at least twelve months. The CA applicant must be capable of providing the necessary of care to the care recipient.

My department understands that, from time to time, acute and/or short-term illnesses may affect a carer’s ability to provide full-time care and CA may continue in payment in these circumstances, unless another person takes over the caring duties and applies for CA or carer’s benefit in their own right.

If the carer sustains a more serious and/or longer-term illness, injury or disease that limits their capacity to provide full-time care and attention and/or requires a temporary stay in an institution such as a hospital or convalescent home, payment of CA can continue up to a maximum of 13 weeks.

After 13 weeks, payment will stop if a deciding officer is satisfied that the carer is no longer providing full-time care and attention due to their incapacity.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.