Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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1749. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of people receiving full or half rate carer's allowance that have had a review of their claim twice in eight months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40812/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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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 is committed to ensuring that only those people who are eligible receive welfare and other payments. The objective is to ensure that we pay the right people, the right amount, through the right scheme or programme, at the right time. Therefore, once claims are in payment, my Department undertakes periodic reviews to ensure that there is continued entitlement to payment.

Control reviews arise from both targeted and random case selections and where specific information comes to the attention of the Department. In this context, it should be noted that people are under a legal obligation to report any change in their circumstances to the Department that may affect their eligibility, and such notifications may also trigger a review of a person's entitlement.

At all times, repeated requests for information are minimised, and every effort is made to conduct and complete reviews as quickly as possible to avoid any undue stress to the customer.

Unfortunately, the specific data requested by the Deputy regarding the number of people receiving full or half-rate CA that have had a review of their claim twice in eight months is not readily available. However, if the Deputy has a particular case in mind, you might provide the relevant details so that my officials can examine the specific case.