Tom Neville (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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242. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application for a carer's allowance by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47349/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I confirm that the Department received an application for Carer's Allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 23 June 2017 in respect of her parents.

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 (DO) decided that this evidence did not indicate that the requirement for full-time care and attention was satisfied in respect of her mother.

Carer’s allowance was awarded from 29 June 2017 to the person concerned in respect of her father on 16 September 2017 and the first payment along with arrears due issued to her nominated bank account on 21 September 2017.

The person concerned was notified on 16 September 2017 of these decisions, the reasons for them and of her right of review and appeal.

If the person concerned wants a review of the decision to disallow CA, it is open to her to submit additional evidence to demonstrate the requirement for full time care and attention.

A review can then be processed and once completed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

Alternatively the person concerned may appeal the decision directly to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.