Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Carer's Allowance 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.

The Department is committed to providing a quality service to all its customers, ensuring that applications are processed and decisions on entitlement are made as quickly as possible.

Operational processes, procedures, and the organisation of work are continually reviewed to ensure that processing capability is maximised, and repeated requests for information are minimised.

The information and evidence provided by the applicant is processed through the Department’s computer system. The system enables officers with an appropriate business need to work on all aspects of a Carer’s Allowance application and process it to decision as quickly as possible. Appropriate accessibility in this regard helps to reduce instances of information repetition. The Department’s primary objective is to put the customer at the centre of service delivery.

The desire to process applications quickly must be balanced with the competing demand to ensure that decisions are consistent, of high quality, and made in accordance with the legislative provisions, and the general principles of fair procedures and natural justice.

The Department understands the many pressures faced by customers and always seeks to ensure that claims are processed quickly and efficiently.

If there is a specific case that the Deputy would like examined, the Department would be glad to assist.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.