Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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240. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision on a carer's application by a person (details supplied) will be made; the reason for the delay with same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4769/19]

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.

I confirm that my department received an application for CA from the person concerned on the 19 July 2019.

It is a condition for receipt of CA, that the applicant must be providing full-time care and attention.

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.

As the applicant is self-employed as a farmer, the matter was referred to a local social welfare inspector (SWI) on 10 December 2018 to assess the level of care being provided, assess means and confirm that all the conditions for receipt of carer’s allowance are satisfied.

Once the SWI has reported, a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.