Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 May 2013
371. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department has carried out a review of the decision to cease payment of a carer's allowance claim in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan; when a revised decision will be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23009/13]
View answerIn order for a child under 16 years to be deemed eligible for carer's allowance, domiciliary care allowance must be in payment for that child. In those circumstances, the child is deemed to be automatically medically eligible for carer’s allowance. Once the child reaches 16 years and is no longer entitled to domiciliary care allowance, a review of the continuing entitlement to carer’s allowance is carried out.
In this case domiciliary care allowance ceased when the care recipient turned 16 on the 22nd of October 2012. The person in question was informed that the entitlement to carer’s allowance would be reviewed and further medical evidence was requested. The person concerned submitted this medical evidence and having examined this the medical assessor was of the opinion that the care recipient is not so disabled as to require full time care and attention as prescribed in regulations. A deciding officer reviewed the case and decided that the carer’s allowance payments would be stopped. The person in question was informed of this decision on the 28th of March 2013, and of his right to review or appeal. There is no record of any review or appeal being requested and the last payment issued to the person concerned on the 18th of April 2013.
If the person in question is not satisfied with the decision to stop his carer’s allowance, he may request a review or may submit an appeal to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office.
