Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
676. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide an update on the status of a carer’s allowance application; what further timeframe is expected on a decision on a carer’s allowance review initiated on 7 February 2023 for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35679/23]
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.
In order to qualify, applicants must show that they are habitually resident in the State, that their means are less than the statutory limit, that they are providing full-time care and attention and that the person being cared for requires full-time care and attention.
A review of this Carer’s Allowance claim commenced on 6 October 2022. Based on the information provided by the person concerned at that time, the claim was terminated with effect from 7 December 2022 and an overpayment was subsequently raised as the person concerned was working over the permitted 18.5 hours per week and full-time care was not being provided. The person concerned was notified of this on 2 December 2022 and of their right to review and / or appeal.
The person concerned contacted the Department seeking a review of the decision to terminate the claim stating that they had since reduced their hours of employment and that full time care was being provided. They provided additional evidence in support of their request. Before the review could be completed, the Department was notified that the care recipient had passed away on 13 April 2023. My Department offers sincere condolences to the bereaved family.
Since then, the additional information provided by the person concerned has been reviewed and, having taken all circumstances into consideration, it has been decided to reinstate the Carer’s Allowance claim with effect from 8 December 2022. The person concerned is also entitled to the 12 weeks after death payment from 13 April 2023, giving an entitlement to Carer’s Allowance up to 12 July 2023, which includes the Carer’s Support Grant for 2023.
The claim has been reinstated for the above period and a letter issued to the person concerned on 19 July 2023 confirming this.
It is Departmental policy to offset any arrears due to a customer against any debt owed by that customer to the Department. All customers have the right to comment on any proposed method of recovery prior to it being implemented. In this regard, a letter will issue to the person concerned shortly.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
