Paul McAuliffe
Question:112. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update on a carer's allowance application for a person (details supplied). [8351/24]
View answerWednesday, 21 February 2024
Questions (112)
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.
Two applications for CA were received from the person concerned on 19 May 2023.
It is a condition for receipt of a CA that the person being cared for must have such a disability that as a result 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 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 both applications was examined and the Deciding Officer decided that this evidence did not indicate that the requirement for full-time care was satisfied for either care recipient.
The person concerned was notified on 20 June 2023 of the decisions, the reason for them and of the right of review and appeal.
The person concerned requested a review of both decisions on 12 July 2023.
The applications were referred to a local Social Welfare Inspector on 16 August 2023 to assess the level of care being provided, assess means and confirm that all the conditions for receipt of Carer’s Allowance were satisfied.
On 24 October 2023, the Deciding Officer reviewed all the evidence for both cases and found that, although a certain level of care was provided, the evidence submitted did not satisfy the full time care and attention requirement as defined in the legislation for either care recipient. Therefore, the applications for CA were disallowed and the decisions remained unchanged.
The person concerned was notified of this decisions, the reasons for them and of the right to review/appeal.
A request for appeal was received and both cases were sent to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) on 12 July 2023 and are currently awaiting decision.
Should the person wish to contact the SWAO directly, they can be contacted by phone at 1890 74 74 34 or +353 1 6732800 or by e-mail: swappeals@welfare.ie
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.