Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 March 2020
1123. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a carer's allowance application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2641/20]
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 application for CA was received from the person concerned on 15 May 2019.
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 up to 31 December 2019 and 18.5 hours from 1 January 2020, 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.
The evidence submitted in support of this application was examined and the deciding officer decided that this condition had not been satisfied.
The person concerned was notified on 16 September 2019 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
The person concerned requested an appeal of this decision and provided further supporting documentation to confirm her hours of employment had reduced from week ending 29 September 2019.
A review took place before the application was sent for appeal and the application was awarded to the person concerned on 3 December 2019 with effect from 26 September 2019. The first payment issued to her nominated bank account on 5 December 2019.
Arrears due from 26 September 2019 to 11 December 2019 issued to the person concerned nominated bank account on 12 December 2019.
The person concerned was notified on 3 December 2019 of this decision.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
