Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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187. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position regarding a carer’s payment appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10930/21]

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 10 August 2020.

It is a 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 16 October 2020 of the decision, the reason for it and of his right of review and appeal.

The Department was notified on 30 November 2020 that the person concerned had appealed this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). A submission in support of the decision was prepared and has been forwarded to the SWAO for determination.

The independent SWAO will be in contact directly with the person concerned as soon as the appeal has been finalised.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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188. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the lack of banks in the Irish market that accept carer’s allowance income as income for the purposes of loans, mortgages and other financial products following the withdrawal of a bank (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10950/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The issues raised by the Deputy in relation to the withdrawal of a bank from the Irish market and income sources for the purposes of financial products are within the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Finance.

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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189. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the average length of time a person claims carer’s allowance. [10953/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Carer's Allowance (CA) is a means-tested payment, made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that they require that level of care.

There are a number of factors that impinge on the length of time a person continues to receive Carer's Allowance. The continued entitlement to CA varies depending on both the circumstances of the carer and the nature of the illness or disability of the person receiving care. In addition, there are circumstances in which a person may reapply for CA, but the original claim date is retained on the system, therefore making durations appear longer than they might be in reality. As a result, I am advised that the average length of time a person claims CA is not readily available.