Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

637. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on a carer's allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1362/17]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I confirm that my department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person concerned on 30 October 2015.

It is a condition for receipt of carer’s allowance that the person must be providing full-time care and attention to a person who requires that level of care.

It is also a condition that where the carer and care recipient live apart from each other, there must be a system of communication between their homes.

Based on the evidence available to the deciding officer, which included a social welfare inspector’s report, the application for carer’s allowance was disallowed on the grounds that none of these conditions were satisfied. The person concerned was notified on 20 June 2016 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.

Following a review in September 2016, it was decided that the care recipient did in fact require full-time care and attention. However, there was still insufficient evidence to show that the carer was providing full-time care and attention or that a system of communication existed between the carer and care recipient’s homes.

The person concerned was notified on 29 September 2016 of the outcome and her right of appeal.

The person concerned has appealed this decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office. A submission on behalf of the deciding officer has been prepared and forwarded to the Appeals Office for determination.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy. If you require any further assistance with this query please do not hesitate to contact Philip in my office.