Tuesday, 4 Jul 2023

Written Answers Nos. 387-403

Social Welfare Payments

Questions (387)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

387. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection to outline the clear guidelines for carers in receipt of carer’s allowance where the person being cared for must travel abroad for treatment not available in this State (details supplied); what the carer must do to ensure that they will not have their payment stopped or be threatened with having their payment stopped if they have to leave the State for treatment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32097/23]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

Carer'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.

As is the case with most other means-tested social welfare payments, Carer’s Allowance is not payable on an extended basis to or in respect of persons outside the State. However, legislative provisions are contained in Article 217 (h)(i) and (ii) of Chapter 4 of Part 3 of the Social Welfare (Consolidated Claims, Payments and Control) Regulations 2007 (as amended) which provide for the payment of Carer’s Allowance when a person leaves the State on a temporary basis.

Carer's Allowance may be paid while the Carer is outside the State if it is for the specific purpose of accompanying the person being cared for while they are receiving treatment for a disability that commenced before they left the State, for which a maximum of 13 weeks can be paid. A Carer may also be absent from the state while on holiday for a maximum of 3 weeks each year and continue to receive payment.

Before going abroad, the Carer is obliged to notify this department of that fact. Failure to do so can result in the loss of entitlement.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Eligibility

Questions (388)

Holly Cairns

Question:

388. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection to make the fuel allowance a qualifying payment for carer’s allowance, including in circumstances where the carer is not resident with the individual they are caring for; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32233/23]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Fuel Allowance which is a payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) from late September to April, at an estimated cost of €412 million in 2023.

The Government values the role of carers in society and it is for this reason that they receive significant income supports from the Department. In addition to Carer’s Allowance, carers receive additional support in the form of free travel and the household benefits package (for those who live with the person for whom they care) and the annual Carer's Support Grant (€1,850) in respect of each person for whom they care.

While Carer's Allowance is not a qualifying payment for Fuel Allowance, a person in receipt of Carer's Allowance may avail of the Fuel Allowance payment in certain circumstances. Fuel Allowance is a household-based payment, and a carer will very often live with and care for a person in receipt of a qualifying payment for Fuel Allowance. Income from Carer's Allowance is disregarded from the fuel means test if the carer is providing full time care and attention to the Fuel Allowance applicant, his/her qualified spouse/civil partner or cohabitant or qualified child(ren).

If a person is getting certain qualifying social welfare payments and also providing full time care and attention to another person, they can keep their main social protection payment in addition to receiving the half-rate Carer's Allowance. They can also receive an extra half-rate Carer’s Allowance if they care for more than one person. Since January 2023, the amount of half-rate Carer’s Allowance received is now disregarded when assessing means for Fuel Allowance purposes.

Any decision to adjust the rules of Fuel Allowance to make Carer's Allowance a qualifying payment would have budgetary consequences and would have to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context.

Furthermore, Additional Needs Payments may also be made to help meet an essential, once-off costs which an applicant is unable to meet out of his / her own resources. There is no automatic entitlement to this payment. Each application is determined by a community welfare officer based on the particular circumstances of the case.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Citizens Information Services

Questions (389)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

389. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection when she expects the review of the draft service level agreements for citizens information service companies will be completed, as it appears from the board minutes of the Citizens Information Board obtained under FOI that the delay in rolling out these contracts sit with her Department, and it is almost two years since the previous service level agreements expired; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32257/23]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Citizens Information Board (CIB) is a statutory body under the aegis of the Department of Social Protection. CIB funds and supports 22 Service Delivery Companies to deliver services on its behalf; these arrangements are laid out in Service Level Agreements (SLAs) between CIB and the companies.

It is the responsibility of CIB to update these SLAs and engage with the companies and other relevant stakeholders as part of this process. I am informed by CIB that the current SLAs of the 22 companies have been extended to the end of 2023 in order to complete this engagement process.

As part of this process, CIB invited the Department to review the revised draft SLAs that CIB had developed in consultation with the companies. Once all the draft SLAs were received by CIB, my Department reviewed these in detail.

I am informed by CIB that it now plans to engage further with the companies in finalising the new SLAs.

I trust this clarifies the Deputy’s query.

Social Welfare Eligibility

Questions (390)

Frank Feighan

Question:

390. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department is currently considering applications under disablement benefit from former coal miners based in Arigna, County Roscommon; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32293/23]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

Disablement Benefit is one of the benefits payable under the Occupation Injuries Benefit Scheme to an insured person who suffers a loss of physical or mental faculty as a result of an occupational accident or a prescribed occupational disease that was sustained on or after 1 May 1967.

In 2010, an agreement was reached by the Department with the National Coal Miners Group Committee (NCMCG) that a mechanism would be put in place to deal with current or potential entitlements for former miners who suffer from Pneumoconiosis, in accordance with the existing terms of the Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme.

All Disablement Benefit claims must meet the criteria for Occupational Injuries Disablement Benefit before they can be referred to the Chief Medical Officer. These include:

• The insurability of employment must be established (i.e the claimant must have been employed in the mines on or after 1 May 1967).

• The disease must have developed on or after 1 May 1967.

• The Chief Medical Officer of the Department must be satisfied that there is evidence of Pneumoconiosis.

It is open to former employees of Arigna Mines to apply for Disablement Benefit and their application will be considered. If the Deputy wants to forward on details of a specific case, officials from my Department will review the matter and provide further clarity.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Fire Service

Questions (391)

David Cullinane

Question:

391. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Social Protection the manner in which a retained firefighter is assessed for jobseeker’s payments; the types of income which are reckonable and the types of income which are not; if there are any exemptions which apply to income earned by retained firefighters for call-out duties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32335/23]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

Retained fire-fighters who are otherwise unemployed may make a claim for a jobseeker’s payment in respect of days that they are engaged in fire-fighting or training, subject to the normal jobseeker qualifying conditions in relation to social insurance contributions or means. They are also required to satisfy the statutory conditions for the receipt of a jobseeker’s payment of being available for and genuinely seeking full-time work.

However, taking account of the unusual circumstances of retained fire personnel the Social Welfare and Pensions (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2013 carried amendments to both jobseeker’s benefit and jobseeker’s allowance that put the treatment of retained fire-fighters on a legislative basis. These amendments were introduced with particular regard to the vital service provided by this group, particularly in rural communities where the fire service is almost exclusively staffed by retained personnel.

This legislation provided that when a retained fire-fighter is on call this will not result in a disallowance for a jobseeker’s payment on grounds of availability. It also provides that retained fire-fighters are exempt from suffering a loss of a day of jobseeker’s payment for any day of firefighting employment. Finally, the legislation also provides an exemption for retained fire fighters from having to satisfy the substantial loss of employment condition under Jobseeker’s Benefit.

To qualify for Jobseeker’s Allowance, all jobseeker's must satisfy the qualifying conditions, including satisfying a means test. Part-time firefighters are entitled to a weekly rate (including days that they are engaged in firefighting or training) less any means that apply. All earnings from employment as a retained firefighter, except PRSI, Union Dues and Pension Contributions, are assessable as means.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Departmental Data

Questions (392)

Paul Donnelly

Question:

392. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of WTE staff, by grade, working in the Blanchardstown Intreo centre as of 1 January 2022 and 27 June 2023, in tabular form. [32342/23]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

I reference the tables below.

		Blanchardstown 1 January 2022
Grade	People	Posts
Assistant Principal	1	1.00
Higher Executive Officer	19	18.00
Executive Officer	14	13.60
Clerical Officer	28	27.30
Services Officer	3	3.00
TOTAL	65	62.90

		Blanchardstown 1 June 2023*
Grade	People	Posts
Assistant Principal	1	1.00
Higher Executive Officer	22	21.00
Executive Officer	22	21.20
Clerical Officer	44	43.30
Services Officer	3	3.00
TOTAL	92	89.50

*Latest Figures

These numbers represent staff based in Blanchardstown Intreo Centre working in Schemes Payments, Public Services Card/Personal Public Service Number Centre, Community Welfare Service, Social Welfare Inspectorate, Activation, National Processing Team and Community Employment Programmes.

Social Welfare Appeals

Questions (393)

Anne Rabbitte

Question:

393. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) can expect to have a decision on the financial review on their disability allowance completed in view that they are in financial poverty as a result; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32374/23]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

Disability Allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under the age of 66. This disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, means test and Habitual Residency conditions

Correspondence from the person concerned was received by the Department on 9 March 2023 requesting a review of their DA rate of payment due to a change in circumstances. Based on the information provided to my Department, the maximum personal rate of DA has been applied to their payment with effect from 19 June 2019. The first payment of the new rate will be made by his chosen payment method on 05 July 2023.

The person concerned was notified of the decision in writing on 28 June 2023. Notification issued to the person concerned on 29 June 2023 confirming the agreed arrangement for the payment of arrears due.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Appeals

Questions (394)

Anne Rabbitte

Question:

394. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) can expect to have a decision on an application for carer’s allowance completed; the reason the working family payment was suspended on submission of a carer’s allowance application as this has placed the family in financial poverty as a result; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32375/23]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

Carers 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 increased payment can be made where full-time care is being provided to two people.

Two applications for Carers Allowance (CA) in respect of her sons were received from the person concerned on 31 May 2023.

CA was awarded, including an increase for qualified children, to the person concerned from 1 June 2023 and the first payment will issue to their nominated post office on 6 July 2023. Arrears of allowance due from 1 June 2023 to 5 July 2023 will issue shortly.

The person concerned was notified on 29 June 2023 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.

The Working Family Payment (WFP) payment renewal was on hold, awaiting the outcome of the CA application. This has now been reinstated and an official from the WFP section rang the person to explain the process and confirmed that correspondence has issued on 30 June 2023.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Eligibility

Questions (395)

Anne Rabbitte

Question:

395. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) can expect to have a decision on their application for carer’s allowance completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32376/23]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 03 May 2023. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 21 June 2023 and the case was referred on 27 June 2023 to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing as soon as possible.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

State Pensions

Questions (396)

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Question:

396. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection why a person (details supplied) does not qualify for a State pension (contributory or non-contributory); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32385/23]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The person concerned reached pension age on 11 July 2007.

Social welfare legislation at that time stipulated that a minimum of 260 full-rate paid contributions were required to qualify for standard State pension (contributory) for people reaching age 66 - equating to 5 years of full-rate insurable employment.

According to the records of my Department, the person concerned has a total of 21 full-rate paid social insurance contributions. Since their contributions fall short of the requisite 260 paid full-rate contributions, they did not qualify for State pension contributory. They were notified in writing of this decision on 3 May 2007 and provided with a copy of the social insurance record on which their pension decision was based.

If the person concerned considers they have additional contributions from employment that have not been recorded, it is open to them to forward documentary evidence of the missing periods of employment to my Department and their pension entitlement will be reviewed. Awarded credits are only included in the calculation of a person’s pension entitlement once the minimum requirement of 260 full-rate paid contributions is satisfied.

Both the homemaker’s scheme and home caring credits can be used to improve a person’s rate of pension entitlement. However, a person must satisfy the qualifying conditions for State Pension (contributory) to avail of either of these schemes.

State pension (non-contributory) is a means-tested payment for people aged 66 and over, who have a right of residence and habitually reside in the State and who do not qualify for a state pension contributory, or only qualify for a reduced-rate contributory pension based on their social insurance record.

The person concerned applied for state pension non-contributory in 2022. It was decided that they did not qualify as their means exceeded the statutory weekly limit. A decision letter issued to the person concerned outlining the decision and offering them the right to appeal this decision.

The person concerned appealed the decision to disallow their State pension non-contributory application. On 9 March 2023, the person concerned was notified that their State pension non-contributory appeal was disallowed.

As the spouse of the person concerned is not in receipt of State Pension (contributory), there is no option to apply for Increase for Qualified Adult allowance.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Pension Provisions

Questions (397, 398)

Gerald Nash

Question:

397. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Social Protection when she plans to introduce a pensions cost-transparency initiative, as referenced in the Pensions (Amendment) (Transparency in Charges) Bill 2021 Second Stage Dáil Éireann debate on 22 September 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32434/23]

Gerald Nash

Question:

398. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department has carried out an “examination and assessment of the issues pertaining to the provision of information to pension scheme members in relation to costs and charges incurred by pension schemes and, if deemed to be required, to identify and develop the appropriate policy responses and associated methodologies”, as referenced in her Second Stage speech on 22 September 2022 on the Pensions (Amendment) (Transparency in Charges) Bill 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32435/23]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 397 and 398 together.

Firstly, as I acknowledged during the Second Stage debate on the Pensions (Amendment) (Transparency in Charges) Bill 2021, it is recognised that improved pension costs transparency and better outcomes for pension savers are always desirable. The availability of comprehensive and transparent information on costs and charges is important and helps consumers to decide whether investments represent value for money.

Last July, the Pensions Council published its report on the issue of pension costs in Irish schemes, including issues with regard to the transparency of these costs. Specifically, the Council examined the merits of introducing a Cost Transparency Initiative, similar to that in the UK, Denmark and the Netherlands. The Council agreed that there would be merit in introducing a cost transparency initiative, that the analysis of charges should be straightforward and allow easy comparisons to be made. The Council favoured mandatory cost disclosure but recognised that this may take time to achieve.

The view of the Pensions Council is that any cost transparency framework would include all types of pensions provision where pension saver fund values are impacted by costs incurred and acknowledges that the wider the range, the greater the technical complexity of drawing up rules that treat each type of pension vehicle consistently.

Over the past year, the recommendations contained in the Council’s report were considered by my officials. This examination has required ongoing engagement with the Pensions Authority to identify the relevant appropriate policy responses to the measures contained in this report and the proposed provisions in the Pensions (Amendment) (Transparency in Charges) Bill 2021.

The Pensions Authority is also actively consulting with the pensions industry on the issue of costs transparency and it is expected that proposals in relation to this engagement will be available shortly. The Department is awaiting the outcome of the Authority’s consultation with industry and any proposals stemming therefrom before concluding its overall examination of the relevant issues.

As the deputy will also be aware, the pension system in Ireland is undergoing a period of significant change arising from such matters as:

• the enhanced governance and regulatory requirements arising from the transposition of IORPs which is currently driving the consolidation of a smaller pension schemes into Master Trusts;

• the recent introduction of additional disclosure obligations on trustees including the provision of Pension Benefit Statement; and

• the forthcoming introduction of Auto-enrolment.

Once the Department has concluded its overall examination of the relevant issues, it will report to the Dáil on its findings and proposed future next steps.

I hope this clarifies matters for the Deputy and I would like to thank him again for his work in this area.

Question No. 398 answered with Question No. 397.

Social Welfare Eligibility

Questions (399)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

399. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the eligibility for household benefits in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32503/23]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Household Benefits Package comprises of an electricity or gas allowance, and a free television licence. Only one Household Benefits Package is payable per household. The payment is made on a monthly basis.

The package is generally available to people living in the State aged 66 years or over, who are in receipt of a social welfare payment, or who satisfy a means test. The package is also available to some people under age 66 who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments. For customers aged 70 or over, there is no requirement to be in receipt of a qualifying payment or to satisfy a means test.

As the person concerned is aged between 66 and 70, they must be in receipt of a qualifying payment, or satisfy a means test. In the case of the person concerned, the qualifying payments are: State pension contributory, State pension non-contributory, Widow's, widower's or surviving civil partner's (contributory) pension, Carer’s allowance, Deserted wife’s benefit, One-parent family payment, a Garda widow's ordinary pension (from the Department of Justice), or an equivalent social security payment from a country covered by EU Regulations or one with which Ireland has a Bilateral Social Security Agreement.

To check their eligibility, the person concerned should apply online at MyWelfare.ie for the Household Benefits package if they have or acquire a verified MyGovID account. Alternatively, they can complete and return the paper application form sent to them.

On receipt of their application, the person's entitlement will be examined and they will be notified of the outcome without delay.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Community Employment Schemes

Questions (400)

Michael Ring

Question:

400. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department will fund the external statutory audit costs for community employment scheme considering that the external statutory audit is now a requirement of community employment guidelines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32582/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Social Protection

Community Employment (CE) is an active labour market programme designed to provide eligible long-term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a temporary, fixed term basis. It supports projects that provide work experience for long term unemployed persons. The programme is delivered through CE sponsor organisations in the community and voluntary sector.CE sponsor organisations receive annual contracts from my department, which funds the employment of both CE participants and CE supervisors. Funding is also provided towards training and material costs. The materials grant is not a set amount for all CE schemes, as the rate is determined by individual scheme costs and participant numbers. The materials grant is a contribution towards the running costs of the scheme and covers consumable services and materials necessary for the effective operation of the CE project including such items as employers and public liability insurance, tools, stationery, audit fees (up to a maximum of €1,500), bank charges (excluding bank interest), protective clothing and the hiring of equipment.

The expenditure on materials grants for CE was just over €12 million in 2022 and the provision was increased in Budget 2023 to €13.5 million to support those schemes that are experiencing difficulty in covering eligible CE associated costs. As a result, on 22nd March 2023, Minister Humphreys and I announced new measures to specifically support CE Schemes nationwide including the payment of a €1,000 grant to CE sponsor organisations to help them deal with rising costs. This was made available to respond to the current rising costs for community groups. This once off grant is available for the 2023 calendar year.

If a CE sponsor organisation is experiencing difficulty with rising costs and is seeking further funding under the materials grant, they should make an application through my Department's Community Development Officer assigned to their CE scheme.I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Pension Provisions

Questions (401)

Mark Ward

Question:

401. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection to outline what will happen to the pension entitlements of an individual born in 1944, who does not qualify for the full contributory pension, in the event of their spouse passing away; if they will be entitled to the widow’s pension; if so, the rate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32584/23]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory) Pension is a weekly payment to the husband, wife or civil partner of a deceased person. This payment was formerly called the Widow's/Widower's (Contributory) Pension.

The person in question may automatically qualify for a Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory) Pension if their late spouse was in receipt of a State Pension (Contributory) which included an increase for a dependent spouse (or would have included an increase but for the fact that they were getting State Pension (Non-Contributory), Blind Pension or Carer's Allowance).

There is no automatic qualification if their late spouse was in receipt of a mixed insurance pro-rata, EU/Bilateral Agreement pro-rata or Pre-53 pension. In all such cases they should apply for Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner’s Contributory Pension in the normal way.If they do not automatically qualify for a Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory) Pension, then either they or their late spouse must have a certain number of PRSI contributions. All the PRSI requirements must be met on one person's record - they may not combine the contributions of both spouses. All must have been made before the death of the spouse.

Either they or their spouse must have:1) At least 260 paid contributions paid before the relevant date*

And2.1) An average of 39 paid or credited contributions in either the 3 or 5 years before the death of the spouse or civil partner or before he or she reached pension age (66)

Or2.2) A yearly average of at least 24 paid or credited contributions from the year of first entry into insurance until the year of death or reaching pension age. If this average is used then an average of 24 will entitle you to a minimum pension, you will need an average of 48 per year to get the full pension.

*The relevant date is the earliest of the following dates:

• The date your spouse or civil partner died

• Your spouse’s or civil partner’s 66th birthday, if their social insurance record is used

• Your 66th birthday, if your social insurance record is used

If their spouse or civil partner died before 27 December 2013, only 156 paid contributions are required. However, the yearly average condition must still be satisfied.

The rate of payment will be dependent on the contributions record used in calculating entitlement, and may be different for each individual.

Where a person aged 66 or over does not satisfy the conditions to qualify for a Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory) Pension or qualifies for less than the maximum rate of State Pension (Contributory), they may instead qualify for the State Pension (Non-Contributory) (SPNC) which is a means-tested payment with a maximum payment of 95% of the SPC.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Payments

Questions (402)

Paul McAuliffe

Question:

402. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection the process used to select individuals for a review of carer’s allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32643/23]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

Carer'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 increased payment can be made where full-time care is being provided to two people.

My Department periodically reviews CA payments to ensure that there is a continued entitlement and that a customer is in receipt of the correct rate of payment. To accurately assess the means of customers, it is necessary to obtain up to date income and capital information for the customer and their spouse/partner (if applicable).

Where applicable, CA Customers are required to complete and return a Means Assessment Review form and provide relevant information and documentation to support the information supplied on the form. This information will enable a review of the existing CA payment to ensure that the customer is in receipt of the correct rate of payment. Every effort is made to complete these reviews as quickly as possible.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Payments

Questions (403)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

403. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a review for carer's allowance will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) from County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32649/23]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

Carer'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 increased payment can be made where full-time care is being provided to two people.

My Department periodically reviews CA payments to ensure that there is a continued entitlement and that a customer is in receipt of the correct rate of payment. To accurately assess the means of customers, it is necessary to obtain up to date income and capital information for the customer and their spouse/partner (if applicable).

Where applicable, CA Customers are required to complete and return a Means Assessment Review form and provide relevant information and documentation to support the information supplied on the form. This information will enable a review of the existing CA payment to ensure that the customer is in receipt of the correct rate of payment. Every effort is made to complete these reviews as quickly as possible.

Accordingly, a review of the payment to the person concerned was initiated on 21 February 2023 and information request letters issued on 21 April 2023 and 8 May 2023. I can confirm that some, but not all, of the information requested has been received to date.

Additional information was requested by a Deciding Officer on 26 June 2023 regarding a 2nd employment and outstanding bank details from the spouse of the person concerned. Once the information is received, the review will be completed without delay and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.