Carer's allowance and carer's benefit applications are taking up to four months to process. I appreciate that a carer's allowance application takes longer to process owing to the level of documentation to be assessed but carer's benefit applications are based on PRSI contributions and medical evidence and, therefore, should be processed quicker. I have been contacted by a constituent who was granted carer's benefit and was hoping to return to work this month but, sadly, her husband is sicker than they had wished for and she must remain at home longer to care for him. In early July last, she submitted new medical evidence in support of her application and to date she is still awaiting clarification on it and her payment has ceased. The Minister's response will be to submit the constituent's details but that is not good enough. Every Deputy has a list of constituents who have been waiting up to four months for decisions on carer's allowance and carer's benefit applications. This is too long given the people who have given up their jobs to care for their loved ones are in receipt of no payment while they wait.

I agree with the Deputy's comments in regard to the work of carers in terms of caring for family members who are ill. The Deputy also highlighted delays of four months, which I will bring to the attention of the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris. People who take time out from work need to have an income.