Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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767. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a carers allowance will be granted to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29331/19]

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 30 August 2018 in respect to two care recipients.

It is a condition for receipt of CA is that the person being cared for must have such a disability that as a result 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 applications were refused on the grounds that the person concerned was already in receipt of two social welfare payments from by department at a higher rate of payment. The person concerned was in receipt of Blind Pension and a One Parent Family Payment (OPFP).

The application in relation to her son was also refused on the grounds that the evidence did not indicate that the requirement for full-time care was satisfied in relation to him.

The person concerned was notified of these decisions on 28 February 2019, the reasons for them and of her right of review and appeal.

Following termination of her OPFP the person concerned requested a review of her claims.

The outcome of the review is that on examining the evidence submitted in support of her application in respect of her son, the deciding officer decided that this evidence did not indicate that the requirement for full-time care was satisfied in respect of him.

CA was awarded to the person concerned with effect from 9 May 2019 in respect of her daughter. The first payment will issue to her nominated post office on 11 July 2019. 

Arrears for the period 9 May 2019 to 10 July 2019 will also issue shortly.

The person concerned was notified on 5 July 2019 of these revised decisions, the reason for them and of her right of review and appeal.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.