Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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213. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to provide an update on an application for carer's allowance (details supplied); when a decision will be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25951/24]

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 CA was received from the person concerned on 23 October 2023. A request for information issued to the customer on 27 October 2023. This information was received on 7 November 2023.

It is a condition for receipt of a CA that the person being cared for must have such a disability that as a result they require full-time care and attention. This is defined as requiring from another person, continual supervision, and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with normal bodily functions or continual supervision to avoid danger to him or herself and likely to require that level of care for at least twelve months. The time spent providing care each week must not be less than 35 hours per week over 5-7 days.

The case was referred to a Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) to confirm that all conditions for receipt of CA were satisfied. Following an interview, the SWI reported that they were not satisfied that full-time care of more than 35 hours per week was being provided.

The CA claim was disallowed and the person concerned was notified on 07 February 2024 of this decision, the reason for it and of the right of review and appeal.

The person concerned requested a review of this decision on 04 March 2024. Following this review, the decision remained unchanged. The person concerned was notified of this and of their right to review/appeal on 22 March 2024.

Following receipt of further information, an additional review was processed and the decision remained unchanged. The person concerned was notified of this on 04 June 2024 and of their right to review/appeal.

The Department was notified that the person concerned had appealed this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). The file was sent to the SWAO for determination on 11 June 2024. The person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome of the appeal by the SWAO in due course.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.