Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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239. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of application for carer’s allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); if all documentation has now been received; when applications will be concluded with a view to granting of payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40911/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, 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.

Means are any income belonging to the carer and their spouse, civil partner, or cohabitant, property, (except their own home) or an asset that could bring in money or provide them with an income, for example occupational pensions, or pensions or benefits from another country.

I confirm that my department received an application for CA from the person concerned on 27 June 2019.

Following an investigation, the person concerned did not provide such certificates, documents information or evidence that has been requested from them. A decision was made to disallow as the means of the person concerned could not be determined.

The person concerned was notified on 6 February 2020 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.

A review was requested on behalf of the person concerned on 2 July 2020; however, the requested documents were still not provided. As a result, the decision remained unchanged. The person concerned was notified on 7 July 2020 of the outcome of this review

The person concerned requested an additional review and submitted additional evidence in support of her application. A further information request seeking the business accounts pertaining to the self-employment of the spouse of the person concerned was sent by a Deciding Officer on 6 November 2020.

This information is still outstanding. However, once received the review will be processed without delay and the person concerned notified directly of the outcome.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.