I propose to take Questions Nos. 228 and 229 together.
Carer'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 child or an adult who has such a disability that, as a result, they require that level of care.
The table below shows the average processing times for CA applications by month for 2023:
|
January
|
9 weeks
|
|
February
|
6 weeks
|
|
March
|
6 weeks
|
|
April
|
7 weeks
|
|
May
|
7 weeks
|
|
June
|
7 weeks
|
|
July
|
6 weeks
|
|
August
|
6 weeks
|
|
September
|
6 weeks
|
|
October
|
6 weeks
|
|
November
|
6 weeks
|
|
December
|
5 weeks
|
The table below shows the average processing times for CA by month to date in 2024:
|
January
|
6 weeks
|
|
February
|
4 weeks
|
|
March
|
5 weeks
|
|
April
|
6 weeks
|
|
May
|
6 weeks
|
|
June
|
6 weeks
|
|
July
|
7 weeks
|
|
August
|
7 weeks
|
|
September
|
7 weeks
|
The data requested on Carer's Allowance Reviews is not available in the format requested. The time taken to conduct a review is dependent on the type of review being carried out and the information available at the time of the request. Some reviews require more detailed investigation and interaction with the customer and this can lengthen the timeframe of the review.
However, at all times every effort is made to complete reviews as quickly as possible.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.