Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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259. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a carer’s allowance payment will issue to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49647/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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An application for carer's allowance (CA) was received from the person concerned on 6 June 2018.

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.

The evidence submitted in support of this application was examined and the deciding officer decided that this evidence did not indicate that the requirement for full-time care was satisfied.

The person concerned was notified on 22 October 2018 of this decision, the reasons for it and of her right of review and appeal.

The person concerned requested a review of this decision and submitted additional evidence in support of her application.

As a result of this evidence, CA was awarded to the person concerned on 27 November 2018 and first payment will issue to her nominated bank account on 6 December 2018.

Arrears of allowance due from 7 June 2018 to 5 December 2018 will also issue.

The person concerned was notified on 27 November 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.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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260. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which a payment appropriate to their circumstances by way of a basic payment or a carer’s allowance is being put in place in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49669/18]

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.

It is a condition for receipt of CA that the means of the person concerned must be less than the statutory limit.

Means are any income of the carer and their spouse, civil partner, or cohabitant, property, (except their own home) or an asset that could bring in money or provide them with an income, for example occupational pensions or pensions or benefits from another country.

During the course of a review a deciding officer determined that the means of the person concerned exceeded the statutory limit for CA.

The person concerned was notified on 15 June 2018 of this decision, the reason for it and of their right of review and appeal.

The person concerned has appealed this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO).

The first step in the appeals process is a review of the original decision by a Deciding Officer. That review is currently underway.

In the meantime, if the means of the person concerned are insufficient to meet their needs, they should apply for a means-tested supplementary welfare allowance from their local community welfare service.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.