Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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285. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the appeals process in the case of a person (details supplied) can be expedited with a view to ensuring that they have adequate support to care for a dependant child; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3570/19]

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 now complete and the person concerned will be notified shortly regarding the outcome.

A submission in support of the decision is been finalised and will be submitted with the file to the SWAO for their determination shortly.

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.