Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 November 2017
253. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of applications for carer's allowance and domiciliary care allowance by a person (details supplied). [47446/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer’s allowance (CA) can only be paid in respect of care recipients aged less than 16 years where domiciliary care allowance (DCA) is being paid in respect of that care recipient.
DCA was awarded on 2 November 2017 and CA was awarded on 8 November 2017.
As the carer is currently in receipt of another social welfare payment at a higher rate than CA, the allowance will be awarded from a future date.
The person concerned was notified on 8 November 2017 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
Social Welfare legislation provides for the backdating of domiciliary care allowance (DCA) applications by a maximum of 6 months if a deciding officer considers that it has been shown that there was good cause for the delay in making the application.
This lady’s entitlement was backdated by 6 months when her DCA claim was awarded on 2nd November 2017. There is no legislative provision to allow for the backdating of a DCA award to exceed 6 months.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
