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Tuesday, 6 Nov 2018

Written Answers Nos. 1120-1143

Pensions Reform

Questions (1120)

Michael McGrath

Question:

1120. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if persons affected by the planned increase in 2021 of the qualifying pension age to 67 years of age will receive a reckonable credit for State pension (contributory) purposes for the year between 66 and 67; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45600/18]

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Written answers

Increasing pension age, to moderate the increase in pension duration, is a means by which pensions can be made more sustainable in the context of increasing longevity. In order to provide for sustainable pensions and to facilitate a longer working life, legislation passed in 2011 provides for an increase in the State pension age in three separate stages. In 2014, the State pension age was standardised at 66. This will be increased to 67 in 2021 and 68 in 2028.

The Deputy should note that there is no legally mandated retirement age in the State, and the age at which employees retire is a matter for the contract of employment between them and their employers. While such a contract may have been entered into with a retirement date which is now before pensionable age, in the context of the previous State pension arrangements, there is no legal impediment to the employer and employee agreeing to increase the duration of employment for one or more years, if both parties wish to do so.

In such circumstances, a person who has not yet attained pensionable age will generally pay PRSI in the normal way, as they would have when they were younger, and those paid contributions may be reckonable for State pension (contributory), if they would have been reckonable before reaching the age of 65. In some cases, they might not have been reckonable contributions, e.g. the modified contributions paid by some public servants are not reckonable for State pension (contributory) purposes. However, such employees generally have an occupational pension, the level of which is related to a number of factors, including years of service.

Where it is not possible to continue work, a person who has not yet reached pensionable age may be eligible for a working age payment, such as Jobseeker's Benefit or Allowance, and may be awarded credited contributions, in the same way a person aged under 65 might be. Whether that contribution is reckonable for State pension (contributory) purposes would depend upon their circumstances, notably the nature of their previous employment and the rate of PRSI contributions for which they had been liable.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Back to Education Allowance Eligibility

Questions (1121, 1125)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

1121. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if it is common practice to refuse an application for back to education allowance in circumstances in which the deciding officer is of the opinion that a particular third level course does not comply with the policy of emerging labour market need; if there is a risk that this criteria is overly subjective; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45667/18]

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Róisín Shortall

Question:

1125. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if it is practice to refuse an application for back to education allowance in circumstances in which the deciding officer is of the opinion that a particular third level course does not comply with the policy of emerging labour market need; his views on whether there is risk that this criteria is overly subjective; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45749/18]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1121 and 1125 together.

The back to education allowance (BTEA) is a second chance education opportunities scheme operated by the Department that enables those in receipt of certain social welfare payments to continue to receive a payment while pursuing an approved full-time education course that leads to a higher qualification than that already held. The scheme aims to assist those who are most marginalised and distant from the labour market to acquire the necessary education to improve their chances of becoming independent of the social welfare system.

The Department's Case Officer, having engaged with the individual, will consider their suitability for a course of study and the alignment with their personal progression plan to facilitate a return to employment. The Case Officer provides direction insofar as this relates to ensuring that the course of study is in an area where there are identified skill needs and job opportunities. The Deputy should be aware that Case Officers receive on-going training which is an important part of their development to ensure that they can engage with the jobseeker in a fair manner to enable them to pursue their job seeking ambitions.

If a person is dissatisfied with the decision taken regarding BTEA it is open to them to seek a review by another officer within the Department.

If the Deputy has a particular case, she should bring it to my Department's attention for review.

Illness Benefit Payments

Questions (1122)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

1122. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a person (details supplied) will receive outstanding illness benefit payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45695/18]

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Written answers

The Illness Benefit claim for the person concerned is now certified and paid up to 5th November 2018.

If the customer remains ill and unfit for work, a further medical certificate should be submitted to the Department as soon as possible in order for further payments to issue.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Invalidity Pension Applications

Questions (1123)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

1123. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a person (details supplied) will have an invalidity benefit application processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45696/18]

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Written answers

Invalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.

The department received a claim for IP from the person concerned on the 14 August 2018.

On the 29 August 2018, the deciding officer issued a request for a signed declaration in order to process the claim and also requested that they provide a P45 or letter from her employer confirming the last date they worked. A further request for this information issued on 31 October 2018. Upon receipt of this documentation, a decision will be made on the claim and they will be notified directly of the outcome.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Appeals Status

Questions (1124)

Fiona O'Loughlin

Question:

1124. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied). [45748/18]

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Written answers

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 11th September 2018. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 24th October 2018 and the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Question No. 1125 answered with Question No. 1121.

Social Welfare Appeals Status

Questions (1126)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1126. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45757/18]

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Written answers

Carer'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.

An application for carer’s allowance (CA) was received from the person concerned on 27 September 2017.

A person can be considered to be providing full-time care and attention where they are engaged in employment, self-employment or on training courses outside the home for a maximum of 15 hours per week, provided that they can show to the satisfaction of a deciding officer that adequate care has been provided for the care recipient in their absence.

A deciding officer has decided that this condition has not been satisfied. It has also been decided that although the person concerned is providing a certain amount of care, the level provided is not considered to be full-time.

The person concerned was notified on 28 February 2018 of this decision, the reasons for it and of his right of review and appeal.

The person concerned requested a review of this decision. Following this review the decision remained unchanged.

The person concerned was notified on 21 March 2018 of the outcome of the review, the reasons for it and of his right of appeal.

The person concerned subsequently requested an appeal of this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). A submission in support of the decision was forwarded to the SWAO on 9 July 2018.

As a result of an appeals officer’s decision, CA was awarded to the person concerned on 24 October 2018 with effect from 28 September 2017 to 21 November 2018. The first payment issued to his nominated bank account on 1 November 2018.

Arrears for the period 28 September 2017 to 31 October 2018 along with 2018 Carer’s Support Grant have also issued to the person concerned on 1 November 2018.

My department was also notified that the care recipient of the person concerned died on 26 August 2018. CA can continue in payment to the carer when the care recipient is deceased for a further 12 weeks. Payment will cease to the person concerned on 21 November 2018 as a result.

The person concerned was notified of the outcome on 24 October 2018.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Carer's Allowance Applications

Questions (1127)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1127. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45759/18]

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Written answers

Carer'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.

An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 13 September 2018. The application is currently being processed and once completed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Jobseeker's Benefit Eligibility

Questions (1128)

Noel Grealish

Question:

1128. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the qualifying PRSI criteria for a self-employed person to qualify for jobseeker's benefit in the fourth quarter of 2019 as announced in budget 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45782/18]

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Written answers

As part of the Programme for Government’s commitment to introduce a pay-related social insurance (PRSI) scheme for the self-employed, I recently announced a new benefit scheme for the self-employed who become unemployed to be introduced in Q4 2019. This follows on from the extension of treatment benefit and invalidity pension to self-employed workers in Budget 2017.

This measure is part of the Government’s stated aim of creating a supportive environment for entrepreneurship, including providing an income safety net to employees and the self-employed alike. The specific details of the scheme, including the PRSI conditionality are currently being developed as part of the legislative drafting process.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy at this time.

State Pension (Contributory)

Questions (1129)

Dara Calleary

Question:

1129. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when she will implement new arrangements for the contributory State pension; if those who reached pension age after 2012 will still need 520 paid contributions to qualify for a full-rate pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45785/18]

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Written answers

The Government intends to introduce a Total Contributions Approach (TCA) to establishing the level of entitlement for all new state pension contributory claims from 2020 onwards (TCA2020). I launched a public consultation on this proposal earlier this year in May, which closed last month. The consultation sought input on a range of relevant factors which included the amount of contributions needed for a full rate contributory state pension, the amount of credited contributions a person could avail of, the provision of Homecaring periods and whether there would be a "phase-in period" for the changes.

Following examination and consideration of the submissions to the consultation, my officials will prepare proposals for the design of the new approach for consideration by the Government in due course.

In the interim, on 23 January last, this Government agreed to a proposal that will allow pensioners affected by the 2012 changes in rate bands to have their pension entitlement calculated/reviewed on a Total Contributions basis, including provision for up to 20 years of a new home caring credit.

My Department is in the process of writing to the pensioners concerned to let them know how the review will work. There is no need for pensioners, or anyone on their behalf, to contact my Department about this. Once the necessary enabling legislation (contained in the Budget Bill) is enacted and the required systems and processes are ready, my Department will again make direct contact with the pensioners concerned about their individual reviews.

There are currently no plans to remove the minimum requirement to have 520 contributions paid to qualify for the contributory state pension. It is reasonable to require people who seek a contributory pension to have made at least 10 years' paid contributions into the Social Insurance Fund which finances it, over 50 years of working age life. While it was lower in the past when PRSI coverage was less widespread, legislation was introduced in 1997 to increase this threshold to 520 weeks, or 10 years of contributions. A fifteen year period was allowed pass between that legislation being enacted and the threshold being raised to this level, which would have been sufficient for most people to achieve the required contributions.

The Deputy should note that for those who do not qualify for the State Pension (contributory) (SPC), because they have paid few or no contributions into the Social Insurance Fund, there are other state pension payments available. Notably, they may qualify for the State Pension (non-contributory) which is a means-tested payment (based on their share of household means) with a maximum payment of 95% of the SPC. If their spouse has a contributory pension, they may qualify for an increase for a qualified adult (based on their own means), amounting up to 90% of a full rate SPC pension.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Carer's Allowance Applications

Questions (1130)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

1130. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a carer's allowance payment will issue to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45798/18]

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Written answers

My department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person concerned on 18 June 2018.

A person can be considered to be providing full-time care and attention where they are engaged in employment, self-employment or on training courses outside the home for a maximum of 15 hours per week, provided that they can show to the satisfaction of a deciding officer that adequate care has been provided for the care recipient in their absence.

This application was referred to a social welfare inspector (SWI) on 16 October 2018 to assess the level of care being provided, assess means and confirm that all the conditions for receipt of carer’s allowance are satisfied.

Once the SWI has reported, a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Cyber Security Policy

Questions (1131)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

1131. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of instances in which data transmissions across her Department’s network were compromised due to a gap or lapse in security certificates; the number of times security protocols were at risk due to same in the past three years to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45799/18]

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Written answers

My Department is a major user of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and invests on an ongoing basis in securing the ICT technical infrastructure and the services and data used in support of our business. This includes traditional, defence-in-depth deployments of preventative controls like firewalls and endpoint protection and advanced threat detection tools. My Department also employs security technology that, together with a dedicated ICT security team and well-defined processes, continually monitors the Department’s network and services.

Encryption of data transmissions across my Department’s network is achieved with the use of Digital Certificates. Digital Certificate life-cycle is very carefully and proactively managed by a dedicated team within my Department to ensure that there is no risk to security protocols or compromise of data transmitted. Data transmitted across my Department’s network uses a variety of transmission and security protocols including HTTPS.

I am advised that there has been no risk to security protocols or compromise of data transmissions across my Department’s network due to a gap or lapse in the use Digital Certificates in the last 3 years.

Carer's Allowance Applications

Questions (1132)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1132. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) for a carer's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45801/18]

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Written answers

Carer'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. An increased payment can be made where full-time care is being provided to two people.

An application for carer's allowance (CA) was received from the person concerned on 18 July 2018 in respect of two care recipients.

CA was awarded to the person concerned on 2 November 2018 for both care recipients and the first payment will issue to his nominated bank account on 8 November 2018.

Arrears of allowance due from to 19 July 2018 to 7 November 2018 will also issue. The person concerned was notified of these details on 2 November 2018.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Carer's Allowance Applications

Questions (1133)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1133. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) for a carer's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45811/18]

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Written answers

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 9th October 2018 who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Carer's Allowance Applications

Questions (1134)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1134. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) for a carer's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45812/18]

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Written answers

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, has decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision. The person concerned has been notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Carer's Allowance Applications

Questions (1135)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1135. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) for a carer's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45813/18]

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Written answers

Carer'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 confirm that my department received an application for CA from the person concerned on the 9 July 2018.

The evidence submitted in support of this application was examined and the deciding officer decided that although a certain level of care was being provided the level involved did not amount to full-time care.

The person concerned was notified on 20 September 2018 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.

The person concerned requested a review of this decision and submitted additional evidence in support of his application.

This additional information is currently under consideration and once the review is complete, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Qualified Child Increase Payments

Questions (1136)

Tom Neville

Question:

1136. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will address a matter regarding the case of persons (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45814/18]

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Written answers

The Qualified Child Allowance (QCA) for the customer's daughter is now awarded to October 2019 and all arrears due have issued.

The QCA in respect of two of his sons is already in place and is paid up to date.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Carer's Allowance Applications

Questions (1137)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1137. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) for a carer's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45816/18]

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Written answers

Carer'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.

An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 12 April 2018.

This application was disallowed and the person concerned requested a review of that decision on 15 August 2018.

Following the review, CA was awarded to the person concerned on 17 October 2018 and first payment issued to her nominated post office on 25 October 2018.

Arrears of allowance due from 12 April 2018 to 24 October 2018 have also issued.

The person concerned was notified on 17 October 2018 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Carer's Allowance Applications

Questions (1138)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1138. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied) in relation to an application for a carer's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45817/18]

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Written answers

Carer'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.

A person can be considered to be providing full-time care and attention where they are engaged in employment, self-employment or on training courses outside the home for a maximum of 15 hours per week, provided that they can show to the satisfaction of a deciding officer that adequate care has been provided for the care recipient in their absence.

The person concerned has been in receipt of a half-rate CA since 26 April 2018 as she is also in receipt of illness benefit. This is payable at the maximum weekly rate. On 19 October 2018 the person concerned notified my Department that she was commencing part time work and that her illness benefit will be ceasing as a result.

As her means from employment may affect her entitlement to CA, a full means review is being carried out. As part of the review, financial documents were requested from the person concerned on 1 November 2018.

Once the review is complete the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Illness Benefit Payments

Questions (1139)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

1139. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the ongoing difficulties facing illness benefit recipients have now been resolved; if she is satisfied that all persons have now received outstanding payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45818/18]

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Written answers

Overall payment levels of Illness Benefit (IB) are now at their normal level. For information, in any one week, circa 50,000 customers are entitled to an IB payment. Last week, circa 54,000 customer payments were made, approximately 4,000 payments in excess of the normal level, and this includes some customers due arrears. For any customers with arrears outstanding, the Department would like to assure them that they will receive their back payments as soon as possible.

The Department can confirm that a normal level of payments will issue to IB customers this week. It is, however, important to note that there will always be some people who do not get paid in any given week. This is due to issues such as delays in receipt of claims and certificates, incorrectly completed certificates, human error, inconsistencies between the information submitted and the information already on file, the existence of another welfare payment for the main claimant or their dependants on the claim - can all lead to payments being suspended or delayed. This was always the case.

However, the Department acknowledges that the majority of the delays over the past few weeks were due to system and processing issues rather than normal levels of exceptions and would like to again apologise to the customers affected.

In August, the IB scheme migrated from an old legacy IT system approaching its end-of-life to a more up-to-date system, already successfully used for many of the Department’s other payments. As part of this process, IB payments transitioned from a payment in arrears to a real-time payment model. This model was designed to provide quicker access to payments for customers and also to greatly reduce the manual processing work involved in administering IB claims. Unfortunately, although the majority of customers continued to receive payments, there were a number of unanticipated difficulties and some IB customers’ payments were adversely affected with delays and missed payments.

The Department would like to sincerely apologise for the difficulties and frustration experienced by customers who did not receive the correct IB payment or who experienced delays in their payments. The Department has been working hard over the past few weeks, and is continuing to work, to resolve any outstanding issues - allocating additional staff to IB claim work and developing a number of IT modifications to identify and rectify payment issues.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Carer's Allowance Applications

Questions (1140)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1140. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application for a carer's allowance by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45819/18]

View answer

Written answers

Carer'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.

An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 9 May 2018.

The application was awarded to the person concerned on 27 August 2018 and the first payment issued to his nominated bank account on 6 September 2018.

Arrears of allowance due from 10 May 2018 to 5 September 2018 have also issued.

The person concerned was notified on 27 August 2018 of this decision, the reason for it and of his right of review and appeal.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Carer's Allowance Applications

Questions (1141)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1141. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application for a carer's allowance by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45821/18]

View answer

Written answers

Carer'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 confirm that my department received an application for CA from the person concerned on the 25 September 2017.

The evidence submitted in support of this application was examined and the deciding officer decided that although a certain level of care was being provided the level involved did not amount to full-time care.

The person concerned was notified on 25 January 2018 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.

A review of this decision was sought on 23 February 2018. The outcome of the review is that the original decision remains unchanged.

The person concerned was notified on 7 March 2018 of the outcome and of her right of appeal.

The person concerned appealed this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). A submission in support of the decision was forwarded along with the file on 10 May 2018 to the SWAO for determination.

As a result of an appeals officer’s decision CA was awarded to the person concerned on 1 November with effect from 15 March 2018. The first payment will issue to her nominated bank account on 8 November 2018.

Arrears for the period 15 March 2018 to 7 November 2018 will also issue to the person concerned on 8 November 2018.

The person concerned was notified of the outcome on 1 November 2018.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Domiciliary Care Allowance Applications

Questions (1142)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1142. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application for a domiciliary care allowance by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45822/18]

View answer

Written answers

An application for Domiciliary Care Allowance was received from the person concerned on the 20th March 2018. The application was not allowed as the child was not considered to satisfy the qualifying conditions for the allowance. A letter issued on the 30th May 2018 setting out the decision of the deciding officer to refuse the allowance.

A review of this decision was requested on the 15th June 2018 and an appeal was also submitted on the 5th July 2018. Following the review by the Deciding Officer, the original decision was upheld and the person concerned was notified of this, in a letter dated the 3rd October 2018. An appeal submission was prepared and forwarded to the Social Welfare Appeals Office on the 19th October 2018 for consideration. The person concerned will be notified by the Social Welfare Appeals Office of the outcome of the appeal in due course.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Illness Benefit Payments

Questions (1143)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

1143. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will receive an illness benefit payment. [45842/18]

View answer

Written answers

The Illness Benefit claim for the person concerned is now certified and paid to 1st November 2018. If the customer remains ill and unfit for work, a further medical certificate should be submitted to the Department as soon as possible in order for further payments to issue.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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