Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 November 2019
603. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a carer's allowance will issue to a person (details supplied); if arrears due will issue in view of the fact their appeal has been successful; if the payment will be made as soon as possible; if there is a backlog in putting into payment new claims; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47169/19]
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.
An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 22 March 2019.
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 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 12 July 2019 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
The person concerned requested an appeal of this decision and provided further supporting documentation.
The appeal was allowed and was returned to this Department from the Appeals Office on 6 November 2019. As a result, the application was awarded to the person concerned on 12 November 2019, with effect from 28 March 2019. The first payment will issue to her nominated bank account on 21 November 2019.
Arrears due from 28 March 2019 to 20 November 2019 will issue to the person concerned nominated bank account on 21 November 2019.
The person concerned was notified on 12 November 2019 of this decision.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
