Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 January 2024
952. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a review in respect of a carer's allowance for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1327/24]
View answerCarer's Allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to persons who are providing full-time care and attention to a person who has such a disability that they require that level of care. An increased payment can be made where full-time care is being provided to two people.
The person concerned is in receipt of CA for one care recipient since 12 October 2023. A request for the back dating of this claim has been granted and the claim has been backdated to 13 April 2023. This includes an increase for a Qualified Child. Arrears from 13 April 2023 to 11 October 2023 issued on 9 January 2024. The person concerned was notified of this decision on 9 January 2024, the reason for it and of their right of review and appeal.
An application for CA for a second care recipient was received on 12 October 2023 also.
It is a condition for receipt of CA that the person being cared for must have such disability that they require full-time care and attention. This is defined as requiring from another person continual supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with normal bodily functions, or continual supervision in order to avoid danger to him or herself, and likely to require that level of care for at least twelve months.
The evidence submitted in support of the second application was examined and the Deciding Officer (DO) decided that this evidence did not indicate that the requirement for full-time care was satisfied for the care recipient.
The person concerned was notified of this decision, the reason for it and of their right of review and appeal.
The person concerned requested a review of this decision on 17 November 2023 and submitted additional evidence in support of their application. Following this review, the decision has remained unchanged. The person concerned was notified on 1 December 2023 of this decision, the reason for it and of their right of review and appeal.
A further review was initiated on foot of the last Parliamentary question received and the additional evidence received was examined.
In regard to the second care recipient, the decision remains unchanged. The person concerned was notified on 9 January 2024 of this decision, the reason for it and of their right of review and appeal.
A request for appeal was received on 19 December 2023. This is currently in progress and will be dealt with by the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
