Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 December 2023
362. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applicants turned down for the care allowance, the number awarded on appeal and the number awarded on second application in 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53631/23]
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 such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.
The number of CA applications disallowed, awarded on appeal, and awarded on reapplication for 2021, 2022 and to 31 October 2023 are set out in the table below.
|
Year |
No. of applicants turned down (disallowed) for Carer’s Allowance |
No. of applicants awarded on appeal |
No. of applicants awarded on reapplication |
|
2021 |
9,134 |
829 |
1,840 |
|
2022 |
10,115 |
787 |
2,024 |
|
2023 (to 31/10/2023) |
9,351 |
560 |
2,069 |
The Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) functions independently of this Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. All appeals are referred to the Department in the first instance so that the original decision can be reviewed. It is often the case that new evidence is provided with the appeal request and, as a result, the original decision may be revised by the Deciding officer. It is important to highlight the value of providing all relevant information at the initial application stage as this will increase the likelihood of achieving a positive result earlier in the process. If a review does not result in a favourable outcome, then the file is forwarded to the SWAO without delay.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
