Niamh Smyth
Question:638. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the revision of a case (details supplied) will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8393/19]
View answerTuesday, 19 February 2019
Questions (638)
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 as long as the duration of these activities does not exceed 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.
I confirm that my department received an application for CA from the person concerned on 8 October 2018.
The evidence before the deciding officer showed that the person concerned was engaged in employment outside the home and the duration of activity exceeded 15 hours per week. The person concerned was notified on 31 January 2019 that she was not entitled to CA, 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 her application. The outcome of the review was that the original decision was confirmed.
The person concerned then submitted documents stating that her hours had been reduced to under the statutory limit from 13 February 2019.
Accordingly the application was awarded to the person concerned on 15 February 2019 and first payment will issue to her nominated bank account on 28 February 2019.
Arrears of allowance due from 14 February 2019 to 27 February 2019 will also issue.
The person concerned was notified on 15 February 2019 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.