Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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492. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) for a half rate carer’s allowance payment; and when a decision can be expected. [51610/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I can confirm that my Department received applications for carer allowance (CA) from the person concerned in respect of her mother and son on the 31 May 2017 and 7 June 2017 respectively. It is a condition for receipt of 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 continual 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 decided that this evidence did not indicate that the requirement for full-time care was satisfied in respect of her mother.

CA was awarded to the person concerned from 8 June 2017 in respect of her son. She was awarded half-rate CA from 8 June 2017 to 8 November 2017 as she was in receipt of one-parent family payment (OFP) during this period. This stopped on 8 November 2017 when her child reached the OFP age threshold. Therefore she has been awarded full-rate CA from 9/11/2017. Her first payment is due to issue to her nominated bank account on 14 December 2017. Arrears for the period 8 June 2017 to 13 December 2017 will issue shortly.

The person concerned was notified on 29 November 2017 of these decisions, the reasons for them and of her right of review and appeal.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.