Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 July 2018
720. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if applications by a person (details supplied) for a carer's allowance and a carer's support grant will be expedited. [32382/18]
View answerCarer'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 person who has such a disability that they require that level of care.
The Carer's Support Grant (CSG) formerly known as the respite care grant is an annual payment made to full-time carers who satisfy certain conditions. The CSG is payable automatically to carers who are in receipt of CA on the first Thursday in June of the relevant year. If an entitlement to CA during this period is established the CSG will issue along with their first CA payment.
I confirm that my department received an application for CA from the person concerned on the 4 May 2018.
At the end of May average processing times for new CA application were 15 weeks.
My Department are committed to providing a quality service to all its customers. This includes ensuring that applications are processed and that decisions on entitlement are made as quickly as possible.
This application is currently being processed, once complete the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
In the meantime, if the means of the person are insufficient to meet her needs she should apply for a means-tested supplementary welfare allowance from her local community welfare service.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
