Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 April 2024
450. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of carer's allowance applications submitted in each of the years 2020 to 2023 and to date in 2024; the number of applications which were successful on first processing; the number which were eventually successful following a review; the number which were eventually successful following an appeal, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19015/24]
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.
Please find below the number of CA applications submitted in each of the years 2020 to 2023 and to date in 2024
|
- |
Applications Received |
|
2020 |
18,774 |
|
2021 |
19,648 |
|
2022 |
22,781 |
|
2023 |
22,633 |
|
2024 (to 31/03/2024) |
5,244 |
|
- |
Awarded on Application |
|
2020 |
17,795 |
|
2021 |
14,804 |
|
2022 |
14,921 |
|
2023 |
17,333 |
|
2024 (to 31/03/2024) |
4,042 |
Please note that the statistics in relation to awarded cases include cases that may have been previously disallowed and which were subsequently awarded following a review or a successful appeal.
Where an applicant's Carer's Allowance claim is initially disallowed, they have the option to request a review of this decision. This allows the applicant to present additional documentation / evidence where this is available. Considering the new evidence, it is possible that the initial decision could be overturned by a Deciding Officer. This review process ensures that every applicant receives a fair evaluation of their circumstances, acknowledging that their circumstances or the circumstance of the care recipient may not have been fully captured at the initial application stage.
If an applicant is dissatisfied with the outcome of their review, they have the option to refer the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
The table below shows the number of CA appeals received and allowed, disallowed or partially allowed by the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) from 2020 to the end of March 2024.
|
Appeals |
||||
|
Year |
Received |
Appeals Allowed by Appeals Officers |
Appeals Partly Allowed by Appeals Officers |
Appeals Disallowed by Appeals Officers |
|
2020 |
3,630 |
1,079 |
115 |
1,981 |
|
2021 |
3,361 |
886 |
95 |
1,743 |
|
2022 |
3,521 |
804 |
67 |
1,953 |
|
2023 |
3,048 |
680 |
52 |
1,506 |
|
2024 (to 31/03/2024) |
804 |
161 |
19 |
558 |
Appeals that had a favourable outcome for the appellant consist of appeals that were either allowed in full or in part by an Appeals Officer, or that were resolved by way of a revised decision in favour of the appellant by a Deciding Officer.
There are a number of reasons why a decision that was refused at first instance might be successful on appeal and it is not necessarily the case that the first decision was incorrect. It is often the case that new evidence is provided with an appeal and that, as a result, the original decision may be revised by the Deciding Officer.
Where the decision was not revised by the Department in light of the appeal contentions, further evidence is often provided by the appellant as the appeal process proceeds.
I hope this information is of assistance to the Deputy.
