Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 November 2023
417. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection to indicate the extent to which a person (details supplied) can retain part of her carer's allowance notwithstanding the fact that her son, after more than 20 years of total dependency on his mother, is now in institutional care, with weekends and special days with his mother; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53158/23]
View answerCarer'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.
I can confirm that the person concerned was in receipt of CA in respect of their son from 5 August 1999 until 11 October 2023.
It is a condition for receipt of CA that the person concerned must be providing full-time care and attention. The legislation states that a carer is regarded as providing full-time care and attention to a relevant person where the number of hours providing such care is not less than 35 hours in a period of 7 consecutive days, and care is provided on any 5 days, whether consecutive or not, within a period of 7 consecutive days.
In certain circumstances, a person may qualify for CA on a "holiday case" basis. This is when a care recipient has been admitted to a care facility but stays with the carer during holidays. When the care recipient is admitted to a care facility, the carer must submit a request for their CA payment to continue on a holiday case basis. If approved, the carer will remain in receipt of CA at a nil rate. During the period the care recipient is in their care, the carer must submit a letter from the care facility confirming these dates. Payment is made on an arrears only basis and the same rules for CA apply during this period. In order to receive a payment, the care recipient must be with the carer for four consecutive nights.
It is open to the person concerned to request their CA be considered as a holiday case. If they wish to do so, they should submit their request to the Department.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
