Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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551. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an appeal for a carer's allowance by a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay in the transfer of departmental papers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8415/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Carer's allowance (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.

An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 31 July 2017.

It is a condition for receipt of CA that the applicant’s means are less than the statutory limit which in this case is €257.60 weekly. The application was disallowed as her means were determined to exceed the statutory limit.

The person concerned was notified on 8 November 2017 of this decision, the reason for it and her right of review and appeal.

My department were notified on 4 December 2017 that the person concerned had appealed this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). At this stage a different deciding officer (DO) reviewed in full the original decision which was under appeal. Having completed this review, the decision remained unchanged. A submission in support of the decision has been forwarded along with the file on 15 February to the SWAO for determination.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.