Carers in Cavan-Monaghan affected by 20 week backlog for allowance

Carers in Cavan and Monaghan are facing up to a 20 week wait for the new carer’s allowance, according to the Minister for Social Protection Leo Varadkar.

With 1968 carers in Cavan & Monaghan currently in receipt of Carers Allowance, Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan Monaghan Niamh Smyth commented that she would it 'worrying' such a backlog was allowed to occur.

“I find it quite worrying that such a backlog was allowed to happen. I have had a number of concerned applicants attend my clinics throughout Cavan and Monaghan and contact by Bailieborough office about a delay in the processing of their carer allowance application.

“I have queried this with the Minister, only to be informed that as of June there was a 20 week waiting time. As of the end of June a total of 6,375 applications nationwide were awaiting a decision on their application,' she said.

The local deputy is now calling on Minister Varadkar to temporarily hire more staff to deal with the backlog.