Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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335. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position on a review of an application for carer’s allowance by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17348/18]

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.

My department received an application for CA from the person concerned on 22 November 2016.

It is a condition for receipt of CA that every claimant shall furnish such certificates, documents, information and evidence as may be required for the purposes of deciding their claim.

The person was requested to provide bank statements and evidence pertaining to the cessation of his self-employment, but did not do so.

Accordingly a deciding officer decided that he was not entitled to CA.

The person concerned was notified on 3 May 2017 of this decision, the reason for it and of his right of review and appeal.

A review of this decision was requested on 22 May 2017. Although some documents were supplied on 25 July 2017, there were still bank statements outstanding. As a result, the deciding officer confirmed the original decision.

The person concerned was notified on 4 October 2017 of the outcome of this review and of his right of appeal.

Further documents were received on 4 April 2018 and the matter was referred back to the local social welfare inspector (SWI) to complete the earlier investigation that was suspended following the failure of the person concerned to supply documents as requested.

Once the SWI has reported, a decision will be made and the person concerned notified directly of the outcome.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.