131. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made regarding an application for a carer's allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42370/15]

Carer's Allowance (CA) is a social assistance payment made to persons who are providing full-time care and attention to a person with a disability requiring that level of care and whose income falls below certain limits.

In April 2013, the person concerned was refused CA on the grounds that the disability of the care recipient was not such that there was a requirement for full-time care and attention and that the carer was not providing full-time care and attention as required. The person in question appealed that decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office and the appeal was disallowed by an appeals officer (AO) in March 2014.

Under Social Welfare legislation, the decision of an AO is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed in the light of additional evidence or new facts.

If the circumstances have changed, the person in question should submit a new application for CA. I have arranged for an application form (CR1) to issue by post to his given address. Following receipt of a fully completed application form and any necessary supporting documentation, the eligibility of the person concerned to CA will be determined and he will be notified directly of the outcome.