Marc MacSharry
Question:359. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) will have the carers allowance payment re-instated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52018/23]
View answerTuesday, 28 November 2023
Questions (359)
Written answers
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.
Once claims are in payment, the Department periodically reviews them to ensure that there is a continued entitlement. It is a condition for receipt of CA that every claimant shall furnish such certificates, documents, information, and evidence as may be required for the purposes of deciding their claim.
In this case, a means review was initiated by the Department and an information request issued to the person concerned on 14 June 2023.
The person concerned did not supply any of the requested information and, as a result, a notice to suspend their CA claim issued on 17 July 2023.
The person concerned contacted the Department to advise they would forward the requested information shortly.
Notification issued to the person concerned on 4 August 2023 to advise their claim would be suspended with effect from 9 August 2023 for failure to supply the requested information.
The person concerned subsequently provided some, but not all, of the requested information.
As a result, a further information request issued to the person concerned on 22 September 2023 and a reminder letter issued on 27 October 2023.
Following receipt of the requested information, it was determined that the matter should be referred to a local social welfare inspector (SWI) to assess the level of care being provided, assess means and confirm that all the conditions for receipt of CA are satisfied.
Following receipt of a report from the SWI, a decision has been made to re-instate the payment with effect from 9 August 2023. The person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome this week and their CA payment will issue to their bank account on 30 November 2023. Arrears owed will issue as soon as possible.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.