Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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249. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a request for review of a decision to refuse carer's allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52509/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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An application for carer's allowance was received from the person concerned on 12 June 2017.

Carer's allowance is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a person who has such a disability that they require that level of care.

It is a condition for receipt of carer’s allowance that the applicant’s means are less than the statutory limit, which in this case is €272.60 per week and that the person being cared for must have such a disability that they require full-time care and attention.

The evidence submitted in support of this application was examined and the deciding officer decided that this evidence was insufficient to indicate that the requirement for full-time care and attention was satisfied. The application was also disallowed as her means were assessed at €403.43 weekly which exceeded the statutory limit.

The person concerned was notified on 26 October 2017 of this decision the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.

A review of this decision was requested on 9 November 2017 and the outcome of the review was that it was decided that the requirement for full-time care and attention was satisfied. However, although the review of her means resulted in a lower assessment of €401.61 weekly, her means were still found to exceed the statutory limit.

The person concerned was notified of this on 2 December 2017 and of her right of review and appeal.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.