Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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268. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason for the delay regarding a carer's allowance application by a person (details supplied) being referred to the social welfare appeals office; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4524/19]

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

The exact amount of hours or days for which care must be provided is not defined in legislation.

Full-time care and attention can be considered to apply where there is an on-going and daily commitment by the carer and which also generally results in the carer not being able to support him/herself through normal full-time employment.

In addition, a person is not considered to be providing full-time care and attention where they work outside the home in excess of 15 hours per week.

On the basis of the evidence submitted in support of this application, the deciding officer decided that full-time care and attention was not being provided.

The person concerned was notified on 4 September 2018 of this decision, the reason for it and of his right of review and appeal.

My department were notified on 3 November 2018 that the person concerned had appealed the decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO).

The first stage of an appeal is a review of the original decision by a different deciding officer; these reviews can take some time. Where this deciding officer is satisfied that the original decision was the correct one, a submission is prepared for the SWAO.

A submission in support of the decision is currently being prepared and will be forwarded shortly to the SWAO.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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269. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a decision has been made on a carer's allowance application by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4528/19]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Carer's benefit (CARB) is a PRSI based payment, made to persons who are providing full-time care and attention to a person who has such a disability that they require that level of care.

An application for CARB was received from the person concerned on 16 November 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.