51. Deputy James Bannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a decision on a review of an appeal under the carer's allowance scheme will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46498/15]

I confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 1 September 2015.

Carer's Allowance (CA) is a social assistance payment, made to persons who are providing full-time care and attention to people who have a disability such that they require that level of care and who satisfy a means test.

A person can be considered to be providing full-time care and attention where they are engaged in employment, self-employment or on training courses outside the home for a maximum of 15 hours per week, provided that they can show to the satisfaction of a deciding officer that adequate care has been provided for the care recipient in their absence.

The application for CA was refused on the grounds that person concerned was working outside the home for more than 15 hours per week.

He was notified on 12 November 2015 of this decision, the reason for it and of his right of review and appeal. To date, no request for a review or appeal has been received from the person concerned.