Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 February 2024
445. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection to indicate the progress to date in determining an application for carers allowance (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6485/24]
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 person concerned has been in receipt of CA since 3 May 2018.
There is an obligation on the Department to ensure that only those who satisfy the conditions receive the payment and the Department must periodically review claims to ensure that there is continued entitlement. Depending on the circumstances in each case and to make best use of resources, a review may concentrate on a specific condition of entitlement.
In this instance, a medical review was initiated on 17 January 2023 and the customer was requested to have a medical review form completed for the care recipient.
Upon receipt of the completed form, a Departmental Medical Assessor conducted an assessment of the information provided and recorded on 30 July 2023 an opinion that there was no medical evidence that full-time care was required.
The customer was informed of this decision by a Deciding Officer on 27 October 2023 and afforded the opportunity to submit further medical evidence, within 28 days, for the decision to be reviewed. No further evidence was provided by the customer.
The customer was advised in a letter of 11 January 2024 that their last payment would be on 1 February 2024 and their claim would be terminated from 7 February 2024. The customer was afforded the right of review and/or appeal in this letter.
To date, no further correspondence has been received from the person.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
