Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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227. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if he will grant an application (details supplied) for a carer's allowance that is currently under both appeal and review. [4791/17]

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 who has a disability such that they require that level of care.

A person can be considered to be providing full-time care and attention where they are engaged in employment, self-employment or on training courses outside the home for a maximum of 15 hours per week, provided that they can show to the satisfaction of a deciding officer that adequate care has been provided for the care recipient in their absence.

The person concerned was refused CA on the grounds that he was not providing full-time care and attention as required. He was notified on 16 August 2016 of this decision, the reason for it and of his right of review and appeal.

The person concerned requested a review of this decision and submitted additional evidence in support of his application. Following this review the decision remained unchanged.

The person concerned appealed this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office and submitted further evidence in support. Following a review of this latest information, CA was awarded to the person concerned on 30 January 2017 and the first payment will issue to his nominated bank account on 9 February 2017. Arrears for the period 5 January 2017 to 8 February 2017 will issue shortly.

The person concerned was notified of the outcome on 30 January 2017.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.