John Brassil (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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218. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the delay in the processing of a carer's allowance application by a person (details supplied) will be investigated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10283/18]

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 10 August 2017.

CA is a means-tested social assistance payment, made to persons who are providing full-time care and attention to a person who has a disability such 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.

As the person concerned was working outside the home in excess of 15 hours per week, her application was disallowed on 13 December 2017.

Following receipt of evidence that the person concerned was reducing her hours of employment to no more than 15 hours per week from 8 January 2018, her application was awarded on 22 February 2018 and the first payment will issue to her nominated account on 1 March 2018.

Arrears of allowance due from 11 January 2018 to 28 February 2018 have also issued.

The person concerned was notified on 22 February 2018 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.