Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 October 2020
518. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 519 of 22 September 2020, if a review of the carer’s benefit application will be carried out in view of information provided (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28365/20]
View answerCarer's benefit (CARB) is a payment made to insured people who leave the workforce or reduce their working hours to care for a child or an adult in need of full-time care and attention.
My Department received an application for CARB from the person concerned on 12 August 2020. Under the provisions of the legislation a person claiming CARB must be in remunerative full time employment (for a minimum of 16 hours in the week or 32 hours in the fortnight) for eight weeks out of the previous 26 week period immediately prior to the first day on which a claim is made. There is no provision in legislation to waive this requirement.
The evidence submitted in support of this application was examined and the deciding officer decided that this evidence did not indicate that this requirement was satisfied. The person concerned was notified of this decision on 1st September 2020 and of her right of review and appeal.
The person concerned requested a review of this decision. The outcome of the review is that the original decision is confirmed. On 17 September 2020 the person concerned was notified of this outcome and of their right of appeal directly to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
Due to a clerical error, this review letter did indicate the incorrect caree name. I can confirm that an amended letter has now issued to the person concerned.
The letter from the employer, referred to by the Deputy, suggests that the person concerned actually works 24 hours per week. It is important to understand that there is a distinction between “hours worked” and “remunerative hours of employment”. The employer has confirmed that the hours of remunerative employment of the person concerned are 11 hours per week and she is being paid in respect of those hours only. The legislation does not make provision for other unpaid hours that may be worked.
The person concerned has been advised to apply for Carer's Allowance which is not a contribution based scheme.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
