Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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464. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a decision has been made on an application for carer's benefit by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48607/19]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Carer's benefit (CARB) is a payment made to insured people who leave the workforce to care for a child or an adult in need of full-time care and attention. An increased payment can be made where full-time care is being provided to two people.

To qualify the carer must satisfy PRSI conditions, employment conditions, show that they are providing full-time care and attention and must show that the care recipient requires full-time care and attention.

An application for CARB was received from the person concerned on the 1st October 2019. The application is currently being processed and once completed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

In the meantime if the person concerned is experiencing financial difficulties, she can contact her local Intreo Centre to apply for a means-tested payment under the Department's Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.