Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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702. 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. [54011/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I confirm that my department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 4 August 2017.

CA 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.

The matter was referred to a local social welfare inspector (SWI) on 13 November 2017 to assess the level of care being provided, assess means and confirm that all conditions for receipt of CA are satisfied.

Evidence gathered by the SWI indicates that the care recipient has been hospitalised since 8 September 2017.

Discharge papers were requested from the person concerned on 30 November 2017. Once this information is received the application will be processed without delay and the person concerned notified directly of the outcome.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.