Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 January 2023
872. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on a carer’s allowance application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63883/22]
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.
I confirm that my Department received an application for Carer’s Allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 2 September 2022.
Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is a monthly payment for a child aged under 16 with a severe disability, who requires on-going care and attention, substantially over and above the care and attention usually required by a child of the same age.
Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) must be in payment in order for a care provider to be eligible for Carer's Allowance in respect of a care recipient under 16 years of age. As Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) was not in payment in respect of the care recipient, a Deciding Officer decided that the person concerned was not entitled to Carer's Allowance.
The person concerned was notified on 28 September 2022 of this decision, the reason for it and of the right of review and appeal.
As Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) has now been awarded in respect of the care recipient, the person concerned requested a review of this decision on 5 December 2022. Following that request, the Carer's Allowance application is now under review and a further information request was issued to the person concerned on 20 December 2022. Once the requested information has been received, the Carer's Allowance claim can be assessed.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
