Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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272. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will review an application for carers allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Cork; if she can confirm that her Department is not including unpaid lunch time hours in the calculation of hours worked in respect of this claim for carers benefit. [12089/23]

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.

An application for Carer's Allowance (CA) was received from the person concerned on 29 July 2022.

It is a condition for receipt of Carer's Allowance (CA) that the person concerned must be providing full-time care and attention.

The evidence submitted in support of this application was examined and the Deciding Officer (DO) decided that the evidence did not indicate that this condition was satisfied.

The person concerned was notified on 27 August 2022 of this decision, the reason for it and of their right of review and appeal.

My Department was notified on 30 September 2022 that the person concerned had appealed this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). A submission outlining the DO decision was forwarded to the SWAO on 30 November 2022.

On 1 February 2023, the SWAO notified the person concerned that their appeal was disallowed.

Under Social Welfare legislation, the decision of an Appeals Officer is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed in the light of relevant additional evidence or new facts.

It is open to the person concerned to have the case reviewed if they reduce their working hours to 18.5 hours or less per week and furnish supporting documentary evidence to my Department.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.