Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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528. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will be made on a carer's allowance application submitted in September 2020 by a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7416/21]

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.

I confirm that my Department received an application for CA from the person concerned on 12 October 2020.

The file was referred to a local social welfare inspector (SWI) on 15 October 2020 to assess the level of care being provided, assess means and confirm that all the conditions for receipt of CA are satisfied.

It is a condition for receipt of CA that the applicant’s means are less than the statutory limit. The application for CA was disallowed as his means were determined to exceed the statutory limit.

It is a further condition for CA that the applicant be considered habitually resident in this State. A Deciding Officer (DO), based on the evidence submitted, decided the person concerned is not habitually resident in the State and therefore does not have an entitlement to CA.

The person concerned was notified on 1 February 2021 of these decisions, the reasons for them and of his right of review and appeal.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.