Written answers

Tuesday, 19 June 2018

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Carer's Allowance Applications

Photo of Tony McLoughlinTony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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544. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will issue on an application by a person (details supplied) for carer's allowance in view of the fact that the matter has been ongoing for some time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26517/18]

Photo of Regina DohertyRegina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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My department received an application for carer's allowance (CA) from the person concerned on the 18 January 2018.

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.

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 applicant is a self-employed farmer, the matter was referred to a local social welfare inspector (SWI) on 4 May 2018 to assess the level of care being provided, assess means and confirm that all the conditions for receipt of carer’s allowance are satisfied.

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

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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