Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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230. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when an application will be processed for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38966/18]

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 22 May 2018. 

The application was awarded to the person concerned on 12  September 2018 with effect from 24 May 2018. The first payment issued to her nominated bank account on 20 September 2018. 

Arrears of allowance due from 24 May 2018 to 19 September 2018 issued on 20 September 2018.

The person concerned was notified on 12 September 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.

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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231. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when an application will be processed for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38993/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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My department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 19 April 2018. 

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 child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.

The evidence submitted in support of this application was examined and the deciding officer decided that although a certain level of care was being provided the level involved did not amount to full-time care.

The person concerned was notified on 16 July 2018 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.

A review of this decision was requested and the outcome of the review was that it was decided that the requirement for full-time care and attention was satisfied.

The application was awarded to the person concerned on 21 September 2018, with effect from 19 April 2018, and the first payment will issue to her nominated post office on 27 September 2018. 

Arrears of allowance due from 19 April 2018 to 26 September 2018 will also issue to the person concerned on 27 September 2018.

The person concerned was notified on 21 September 2018 of this revised decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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232. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a carer's allowance will be awarded to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39000/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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An application for carer's allowance (CA) was received from the person concerned on 31 July 2017.

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.

This is defined as requiring from another person, continual supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with normal bodily functions or continual supervision in order to avoid danger to him or herself and likely to require that level of care for at least twelve months.

It is also a condition of CA that full time care and attention is being provided.

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.

The deciding officer in this case disallowed the application on two grounds. Firstly that, based on the evidence provided, the person being cared for did not require full-time care and attention as defined in social welfare legislation. was satisfied. Secondly, that full time care and attention was not being provided as the applicant was engaged in employment in excess of 15 hours per week.

The person concerned was notified on 13 November 2017 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.

The person concerned appealed this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) on 4 December 2017.  A submission in support of the decision was prepared and forwarded to the SWAO on 27 March 2018 for determination.

The appeal was disallowed by the SWAO on 10 July 2018.

Subsequently the matter was recalled on 27 August 2018 by the SWAO for further investigation.

On 12 September 2018, the Department received notice from the SWAO that the initial decision remained unchanged and that the appeal was disallowed.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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233. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an application for carer's allowance by a person (details supplied) in respect of their mother; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39001/18]

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 child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.

An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 31 August 2018. The application is currently being processed and once completed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.