Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 May 2019
1449. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a carer's allowance in respect of a period will issue to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19499/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer's benefit (CARB) is a payment made to insured people who leave the workforce to care for a child or an adult in need of full-time care and attention. An application for CARB was received from the person concerned on 18 October 2017. In order to qualify for CARB certain employment conditions must be met. One of these conditions it that the insured persons last Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) contribution be paid in the Republic of Ireland.
The application was disallowed on 6 January 2018 as this condition was not satisfied. Subsequently the person concerned appealed this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). After their consideration the SWAO notified the person concerned that her appeal was disallowed. Under Social Welfare legislation, the decision of an Appeals Officer is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed in the light of relevant additional evidence or new facts.
My department received an application for carer's allowance (CA) from the person concerned on the 8 October 2018. 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. The application was awarded to the person concerned on 07 January 2019, first payment issued to her nominated post office on 11 January 2019. Arrears of allowance due from 11 October 2018 to 10 January 2019 also issued. The person concerned was notified on 11 January 2019 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
A request for review of this decision was received on 22 March 2019 requesting that backdating be considered from the date the CARB application was received. Following this review it has been determined that from 6 September 2018 all conditions of the CA scheme in particular the habitual residency condition is being met. As a result the outcome of the review is that the application is awarded from 6 September 2018.
The person concerned was notified of this decision on the 1 May 2019, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal. I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
