Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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281. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on a review of a carer's allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39446/16]

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 2 June 2016 in respect of two care recipients. It is a condition for receipt of a CA 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 and likely to require that level of care for at least twelve months.

The evidence submitted in support of this application was examined and the deciding officer decided that this evidence did not indicate that the requirement for full-time care was satisfied in respect of both of the care recipients concerned. The person concerned was notified on 29 September 2016 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.

Subsequently, the person concerned requested a review of this decision and submitted additional evidence in support of her application in respect of both care recipients. The review now has been completed and the outcome is that CA is awarded to the person concerned in respect of one of the care recipients but, in the case of the second care recipient, the original decision to disallow has been confirmed. The person concerned has been notified of these decisions and of her right of appeal to the independent social welfare appeals office.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.