John McGuinness
Question:452. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if the payment of carers allowance and arrears due will be made immediately in the case of a person (details supplied). [6548/24]
View answerTuesday, 13 February 2024
Questions (452)
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.
It is a condition for receipt of CA that the person concerned must be providing full-time care and attention and it is a further condition that the person being cared for must require full-time care and attention.
I confirm that CA is in payment for the person concerned since 5 August 1999.
Once claims are in payment, my Department undertakes periodic reviews to ensure that there is continued entitlement to payment.
As part of a review of the entitlement to CA of the person concerned, a request for information issued on 25 April 2023.
A letter issued to the person concerned on 9 June 2023 advising that their payment may be reconsidered if information requested on 25 April 2023 was not provided to Department within 10 days. The person was also offered an opportunity to request an extension of time if needed to gather evidence.
A request for further information issued on 18 July 2023.
It is a condition for receipt of CA that every claimant furnish such certificates, documents, information, and evidence as may be required for the purposes of deciding the claim.
The person concerned failed to provide the information that was required to determine if their means exceeded the statutory limit allowed for receipt of CA. Consequently, it was decided that the person concerned was not entitled to CA.
A letter issued on 30 August 2023, where the person concerned was notified that the claim would be terminated from 13 September 2023 as they did not provide the documents requested on 18 July 2023. The person concerned was informed of the right to review/appeal.
On 8 September 2023, the person concerned submitted some but not all of the requested information. The case was reconsidered and the decision remained unchanged. On 21 September 2023, the person concerned was notified of this decision, the reasons for it and of the right to review/appeal.
A request for appeal was received and sent to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) on 30 November 2023 and is currently awaiting decision.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.