Natasha Newsome Drennan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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1772. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated timeframe for completion of reviews of applications for carer’s allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41396/25]

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.

The data requested by the Deputy regarding the estimated timeframe for the completion of review of applications for CA is not readily available. The time taken to conduct a review is dependent on the type of review being carried out and the information available at the time of the request. Some reviews require more detailed investigation and interaction with the customer, and this can lengthen the timeframe of the review.

Schemes that require a high level of documentary evidence from the customer, particularly in the case of illness-related schemes, can take longer to process. Similarly, means-tested schemes can also require more detailed investigations and interaction with the customer, thereby lengthening the decision-making process.

However, every effort is made to complete reviews as quickly as possible to avoid causing any undue stress to the customer.

If the Deputy has a particular case in mind, you might provide the relevant details so that my officials can examine the specific case.

The Department of Social Protection is committed to providing a quality service to all its customers. This includes ensuring that all reviews are processed as quickly as possible.