Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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147. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a decision has been made on the review of the decision on a carer's allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55497/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Carer's Allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to persons who are providing full-time care and attention to a person who has such a disability that they require that level of care. An increased payment can be made where full-time care is being provided to two people.

An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 4 September 2023 in respect of two care recipients.

A person can be considered to be providing full-time care and attention where they are engaged in employment, self-employment or on training courses for a maximum of 18.5 hours per week, provided that they can show to the satisfaction of a deciding officer that adequate care has been provided for the care recipient in their absence.

It has been decided that this condition has not been satisfied. It has also been decided that, although the person concerned is providing a certain amount of care, the level provided is not considered to be full-time.

The person concerned was notified on 13 November 2023 of these decisions, the reasons for them and of their right of review and appeal.

The person concerned requested a review of these decisions and submitted additional evidence in support of their application.

As the applicant is engaged in farming, the matter was referred to a local social welfare inspector (SWI) to assess the level of care being provided, assess means and confirm that all the conditions for receipt of CA are satisfied.

Once the SWI has reported, a decision will be made, and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.