Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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257. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when an application by a person (details supplied) will be processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47476/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Carer's allowance is a means-tested social assistance payment, made to persons who are providing full-time care and attention to a person who has such a disability 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.

An application for carer's allowance (CA) was received from the person concerned on 7 March 2017.

The evidence before the deciding officer showed that the person concerned was engaged in employment outside the home in excess of 15 hours per week. Accordingly, the person concerned was notified on 17 October 2017 that she was not entitled to CA, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal. The person concerned requested a review of this decision and submitted additional evidence to show that she is no longer working in excess of 15 hours per week.

Following this review the person concerned was awarded carers allowance from 19 October 2017. The first payment will issue to her nominated bank account on 16 November 2017.

Arrears of allowance due from 19 October 2017 to 15 November 2017 will also issue.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy