Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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590. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43039/19]

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.

As a result of an Appeals Officer’s decision, carer's allowance was awarded to the person concerned on 17 September 2019 with effect from 18 October 2018.

The first payment issued on 26 September 2019. Arrears for the period 18 October 2018 to 18 September 2019 along with the 2019 carer's support grant also issued on 26 September 2019.

The person concerned was notified of the outcome on 17 September 2019.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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591. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43040/19]

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.

The person concerned is in receipt of CA for one care recipient since 26 June 2008.

My department received an application for CA for a 2nd care recipient on 13 September 2018. 

A natural justice letter was sent to the person concerned on 5 November 2018 in relation to their hours of employment.

Additional information was requested by a deciding officer on 11 May 2019. A further information request in relation to the person’s application was sent by a deciding officer on 20 August 2019.

The application for CA for the first care recipient was stopped and for the second care recipient was disallowed, on the grounds that the person concerned was working outside the home for more than 15 hours per week. I am advised that information provided by the person's employer advised that she was working between 23 and 28 hours per week for the period being investigated.

The person concerned was notified on 4 September 2019 of this decision, the reason for it and her right of review and appeal. Another letter issued to the customer on 18 October 2019 setting out a revised decision, the reason for it and her right of review and appeal.

Changes announced as part of Budget 2020 provide that a carer can work up to 18.5 hours per week from January 2020.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.