Kathleen Funchion
Question:414. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) is only receiving €130 in carer’s payment, given the circumstances. [17812/24]
View answerTuesday, 23 April 2024
Questions (414)
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.
Social welfare legislation provides that income and capital (such as savings, investments and property other than the family home) belonging to the claimant and his or her partner, where applicable, is assessable for means assessment purposes.
An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 7 December 2023.
One of the qualifying conditions for CA is that the means of the person concerned must be less than the statutory limit.
Following investigation, it was determined that the means of the person concerned were greater than the statutory limit and, therefore they were not entitled to CA.
The person concerned was notified on 15 January 2024 of this decision, the reason for it and of the right of review and appeal.
Following a review of the decision above, the person concerned was awarded CA and was due the payment from 7 December 2023. As weekly means were assessed at €201.82 per week, this resulted in CA of €53.00 being awarded along with €77 for qualified children, payable from 4 April 2024.
The person concerned was notified of this decision on 26 March 2024 and of the right to request a review and/or appeal.
Arrears of €2,250.00 for the period 7 December 2024 to 3 April 2024 issued on 4 April 2024.
A request for a review and an appeal was received on 8 April 2024. Following a review, the decision dated 26 March 2024 the decision remained unchanged. The person concerned was notified on 17 April 2024 of this decision, the reason for it and of the right of review and appeal.
The means test for CA has been significantly eased over the years. The current income disregard is €350 per week for a single person and €750 per week for a couple. From June 2024, the weekly income disregard will increase to €450 for a single person, and to €900 for carers with a spouse / partner.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.