Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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604. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason the appeals office has not received a file from the carer's allowance section in respect of an appeal by a person (details supplied) lodged on 25 July 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39919/18]

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.

I confirm that my department received an application for CA from the person concerned on the 25 January 2018.

The application was awarded to the person concerned on 14 May 2018 and the first payment issued to her nominated bank account on 17 May 2018.

Arrears of allowance due from 1 February 2018 to 16 May 2018 also issued.

The person concerned was notified on 14 May 2018 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.

On 25 May 2018 a request for a review was received, the outcome of the review is that the original decision is confirmed.

The person concerned was notified on 18 July 2018 of this outcome, the reason for it and of her right of appeal.

My department were notified on 27 July 2018 that the person concerned had appealed this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO).

A submission in support of the decision has been prepared and has been submitted with the file to the SWAO for determination on 27 September 2018. All appeal submissions cases are reviewed in full before being submitted to the SWAO and this can take some time, depending on the number of appeals received.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.