Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 July 2016
147. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the carer's allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20019/16]
View answerCarer’s allowance (CA) is in payment to the person concerned since 14 August 2003 in respect of one care recipient who resides with her.
I confirm that my department received an application for CA from the person concerned on 10 November 2015 in respect of two additional care recipients, her mother and father, who reside elsewhere.
It is a condition for receipt of a CA that the carer must be providing full-time care and attention. It is a further condition that the person being cared for must require full-time care and attention. This means that the person requires from another person continual supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with normal bodily functions, or continual supervision in order to avoid danger to himself or herself, and is likely to require such full-time care and attention for at least 12 consecutive months
The evidence submitted in support of this application was examined and a deciding officer (DO) decided that the person in question was not entitled to CA on the grounds that neither of these conditions was satisfied.
The person concerned was notified on 16 March 2016 of these decisions, the reasons for it and of her right of review and appeal.
The person concerned requested a review and submitted additional evidence in support of her application.
On review it was decided that one of the care recipients, her father, does require full-time care and attention but that her mother, the other care recipient does not.
In order to determine whether the person concerned is providing full-time care and attention, the matter was referred to a local social welfare inspector (SWI) on 21 June 2016. Once the SWI has reported, the review will be completed and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
