Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 May 2024
228. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection the current situation regarding a claim for carer’s allowance or carer’s benefit by a person (details supplied) in County Cork; the reason this application was refused in light of the compelling medical evidence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21141/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer's Benefit (CARB) is a payment made to insured people who leave the workforce or reduce their working hours to care for a child or an adult in need of full-time care and attention.
To qualify, the Carer must satisfy PRSI conditions; employment conditions; show that they are providing full-time care and attention; and must show that the care recipient requires full-time care and attention.
An application for CARB was received from the person concerned on 5 March 2024.
As part of the decision process, the application was referred for the professional opinion of a departmental Medical Assessor (MA). The claim was disallowed as the Deciding Officer (DO), having regard to the opinion of the MA, decided that the information supplied did not show that the care recipient required full time care. The person concerned was notified on 9 April 2024 of this decision, the reasons for it and of their right of review and appeal.
A request for a review with further medical evidence was received on 25 April 2024. The DO assessed all information and the outcome was that the decision remained unchanged. The person concerned was notified of this review decision on 25 April 2024 and also of there right of review and appeal.
A request for a further review was received on 2 May 2024. The outcome of this review was that the decision remained unchanged. The person concerned was notified of this decision on 7 May 2024 and of their right of review and appeal.
It remains open to the person concerned to request a further review (where further medical information / evidence is available) and / or to submit a request for an appeal of the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
