Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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1241. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a carer's allowance application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36162/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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My department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned in relation to her brother on 21 June 2016.

It is a condition for receipt of a CA that the person being cared for must have such disability that they require full-time care and attention, that full time care and attention is provided and that the means of the person concerned must be less than the statutory limit.

The evidence submitted in support of this application was examined and the deciding officer decided to disallow the application for CA on three grounds: that the evidence did not indicate that the requirement for full-time care was satisfied, that although the person concerned was providing a certain amount of care, the level provided was not considered to be full-time and thirdly, that the means of the person concerned were not less than the statutory limit.

The person concerned was notified on 18 January 2017 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.

The person concerned subsequently requested two reviews in relation to this decision. The outcome of the reviews was that although it was found that the care recipient required full-time care and attention, the two other qualifying conditions were still not satisfied.

On 24 April 2017 and 18 May 2017 the person concerned was notified of these review outcomes and of her right of appeal.

The person concerned appealed this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) on 13 June 2017.  A submission in support of the decision was prepared and forwarded to the SWAO on 4 August 2017 for determination.

The appeal was disallowed by the SWAO on 3 April 2018.

Subsequently the matter was recalled on 22 May 2018 by the SWAO for further investigation.

On 8 August 2018, the Department received notice from the SWAO that they had revised their initial decision and allowed the appeal.  Consequently CA was awarded to the person concerned on 27 August 2018, with effect from 22 September 2016.  The first payment will issue to her nominated bank account on 6 September 2018.  

Arrears for the period 22 September 2016 to 5 September 2018 including the 2017 and 2018 carer’s support grants will issue shortly.

The person concerned was notified on 27 August 2018 of the revised decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.