Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 February 2023
123. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when payment for carer’s allowance will be reinstated and arrears due issue in the case of a person (details supplied) who has been without payment for some time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7694/23]
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 a disability, as a result of which, they require that level of care.
I can confirm that the person concerned was in receipt of Carer's Allowance (CA) in respect of their spouse from 31 May 2012 to 29 September 2021.
Once claims are in payment, the Department periodically reviews them to ensure that there is continued entitlement.
Such a review was initiated in this case on 5 March 2020 and the person’s file was subsequently referred to a local Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) to evaluate means and to confirm that all the conditions for receipt of Carer's Allowance (CA) were satisfied.
On foot of the SWI report, correspondence issued to the person concerned on 21 September 2021 to advise that their Carer's Allowance (CA) and Carer’s Support Grant (CSG) payments were under review as they had failed to submit information requested by a SWI. In the absence of the requested information, it was not possible to determine whether the conditions for the receipt of Carer's Allowance (CA) were satisfied and payment to the person concerned was suspended from 30 September 2021.
On 14 March 2022, a Deciding Officer reviewed all the available information and decided that the person concerned was no longer entitled to Carer's Allowance (CA) from 30 September 2021, as they had failed to show that they satisfied the conditions for Carer's Allowance (CA) and had failed to supply documentation that was requested from them. The person concerned was advised of their right of review and appeal. According to Department records no request for a review or appeal was received by the Department.
The Department confirms that the person concerned has the right to seek a review of the termination. However, payment will not be reinstated until all relevant information has been provided and entitlement can be established. These information requests were issued by the SWI on 3 September 2021 and 7 September 2021 (and copies of these requests will issue to the person concerned today).
If the person concerned is experiencing financial hardship during this wait period, it is open to them to apply for supplementary welfare allowance which is a means tested scheme, issued through the community welfare officer. Details of how to apply can be found through their local Intreo Centre or Citizens Information Centre.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
