Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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217. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry has had their rate of carer's allowance reduced; if the decision will be reviewed in view of the circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29417/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Carer's Allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment, made to a person who is providing full-time care and attention to a person who has a disability such that they require that level of care.

The Department periodically reviews claims in payment to ensure that there is continued entitlement.

CA is in payment to the person concerned since 23 May 2002 and a review was recently carried out. As part of that review the matter was referred to a local social welfare inspector (SWI) to assess the level of care being provided, assess means and confirm that all the conditions for receipt of carer’s allowance continue to be satisfied.

The outcome of this review was that her weekly means, derived from investments and savings, were found to have increased from when she originally applied for CA.

Accordingly, her weekly payment was reduced from 15 June 2017.

The person concerned was notified on 30 May 2017 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal. To date, no appeal has been received from the person concerned.

This case will now be reviewed and the Department will contact the person concerned regarding the outcome of that review.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.