Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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414. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a carer's allowance application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41485/24]

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.

My Department received an application for CA from the person concerned on 8 May 2024.

It is a necessary condition for receipt of CA that the carer must be providing full-time care and attention to the care recipient. 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 application was examined, and the Deciding Officer decided that the above condition was not satisfied. Although a certain level of care was provided, the evidence submitted did not satisfy the full time care and attention requirement as defined in the legislation.

The person concerned was notified of this decision in writing on 23 July 2024. They were also notified of their right to have the decision reviewed (where further information is available) or to appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO).

A request to review this decision was received from the person concerned on 26 July 2024.

Following a review of the original decision, the person concerned was awarded CA and their first payment will issue to their nominated bank account on 17 October 2024. The person concerned was notified of this decision in writing on 10 October 2024.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.