28. Deputy John Perry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection to facilitate an application by a person (details supplied) under the carer's allowance scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4552/16]

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

The person concerned applied for CA on 5 March 2015. The application was refused by a deciding officer (DO) as she could not be considered to be providing full-time care and attention to the care recipient due to her working outside the home for in excess of 15 hours per week, contrary to the eligibility requirements.

The person appealed this decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office but the appeal was disallowed. Under Social Welfare legislation, the decision of an AO is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed in the light of relevant additional evidence or new facts.

If the circumstances have changed and the person concerned wishes to make a new application, she should complete and return the application form (CR1) that I have arranged to issue to her. Once all documentation is received, a deciding officer will make a decision and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.