Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 May 2019
474. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive payment and be issued with arrears in respect of carer's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20449/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer'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.
An increased payment can be made where full-time care is being provided to two people.
Two applications for CA were received from the person concerned on 20 September 2018 in respect of two care recipients.
A person can be considered to be providing full-time care and attention where they are engaged in employment, self-employment or on training courses outside the home for a maximum of 15 hours per week, provided that they can show to the satisfaction of a deciding officer that adequate care has been provided for the care recipient in their absence.
It has been decided that this condition has not been satisfied. It has also been decided that although the person concerned is providing a certain amount of care, the level provided is not considered to be full-time.
The person concerned was notified on 6 July 2018 of this decision, the reasons for it and of his right of review and appeal.
The person concerned requested a review of this decision and submitted additional evidence in support of his application. Following this review the decision remained unchanged. The person concerned was notified on 13 September 2018 of this decision, the reason for it and of his right of review and appeal.
My department was notified that the person concerned had appealed this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). A submission in support of the decision was forwarded to the SWAO on 18 January 2019.
As a result of an appeals officer’s decision CA was awarded to the person concerned on 8 May 2019 with effect from 21 September 2018 in respect of both care recipients.
The first payment will issue to his nominated bank account on 16 May 2019.
Arrears for the period 21 September 2018 to 15 May 2019 will issue shortly.
The person concerned was notified on 8 May 2019 of this appeal decision, the reason for it and of his right of review and appeal.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
