Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 March 2014
174. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason carer's allowance was only granted for a four and a half week period after the death of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10530/14]
View answerThe Department wishes to convey its sympathy to the family in question on their sad bereavement.
The Department has reviewed this case and I can confirm that the person concerned was entitled to and was paid six weeks payment following the death of the person they were caring for which occurred on 25th December 2013.
The person in question was entitled to payment from the 26th of December 2013 to the 5th of February 2014. However the person concerned also collected payment for the weeks from the 6th and 13th of February 2014 for which there was no entitlement. A letter issued on the 18th February 2014 explaining the situation and giving notice of the overpayment which had occurred and of the Department’s intention to recover the amount owed. If the person in question believes that payment for the weeks in question was not collected by her or on her behalf, she should provide carer’s allowance section with full details of the circumstances and the matter will be investigated. In addition, it is open to the person concerned to appeal the decision to assess an overpayment to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office.
