Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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302. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a decision has been made on the review of further medical evidence submitted in support of a carer's allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11175/19]

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. An increased payment can be made where full-time care is being provided to two people.

An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 20 February 2018 in respect of two care recipients. 

It is a condition for receipt of CA that the person being cared for must 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 continuous 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 these applications was examined and the deciding officer decided that this evidence did not indicate that the requirement for full-time care was satisfied for either care recipient.

The person concerned was notified on 12 July 2018 of these decisions, the reasons for them and of her right of review and appeal.

My department was notified on 15 October 2018 that the person concerned had appealed these decisions to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO).  Submissions in support of these decisions were prepared on 2 March 2019 and were forwarded along with the files to the SWAO for determination.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.