Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 June 2023
846. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in the of eligibility for a carer's allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28473/23]
View answerCarer's Allowance 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.
Once claims are in payment, my Department periodically reviews them to ensure that there is continued entitlement and, if so, that the customer is in receipt of the correct rate of payment.
My Department is currently conducting a means review of recipients of full rate Carer's Allowance payment where a significant period of time has elapsed since the last review of their means occurred.
Means are any income belonging to the carer and their spouse, civil partner, or cohabitant, property, (except their own home) or an asset that could bring in money or provide them with an income, for example occupational pensions, or pensions or benefits from another country.
The means test for Carer's Allowance is one of the most generous in the Social Protection System. Currently, €350 of gross weekly income is disregarded in the calculation of means for a single person; the equivalent for a person who is married, in a civil partnership, or cohabiting is €750 of combined gross weekly income.
In the case of the person concerned, a means review was initiated in February 2023. The outcome of this means review, based on the information available to the Deciding Officer, determined that the person concerned had assessable means of €38.84 once the current disregard of €350 was applied. This resulted in a new rate of €203.50 effective from 22 June 2023.
The person concerned was notified on 9 June 2023 of this outcome, the reason for it and of their right of review and appeal.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
