Marc MacSharry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

265. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Sligo will have a decision on a carer's allowance application in view of the fact that the person concerned is due to travel shortly abroad with their child for treatment which cannot be provided here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41047/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Carer's Allowance is a statutory, means-tested payment which provides an income support for carers who look after certain people in need of full-time care and attention.

As is the case with most other means-tested social welfare payments, Carer’s Allowance is not payable on an extended basis to or in respect of persons outside the State, although legislation provides for the payment of carer’s allowance when a person leaves the State on a temporary basis for the specific purpose of accompanying a care recipient while that person is receiving treatment.

There is no requirement that the treatment be one which is not available in the State.

A temporary absence is considered to be one which lasts no longer than thirteen weeks.

If the person concerned leaves the State on 1 October 2017, as scheduled, she will be entitled to continued payment of carer’s allowance up to 3 January 2018. There are other possible income support options available to this family and an officer of the Department is in the process of contacting the person concerned to explain what other payments may be available to them in these circumstances.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.