Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 July 2020
514. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will be made on a carer’s allowance application by a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the reason for the delay in making a decision on the application which was lodged in July 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14206/20]
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.
Means are any income belonging to the carer and their spouse, civil partner, or cohabitant, property, (except their own home) or an asset that could bring in money or provide them with an income, for example occupational pensions, or pensions or benefits from another country.
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 18.5 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.
I confirm that my department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 1 October 2019.
The file was referred to a local social welfare inspector (SWI) on 3 October 2019 to assess the level of care being provided, assess means and confirm that all the conditions for receipt of carer’s allowance are satisfied.
The SWI report was received by the Deciding Officer, on foot of which further clarifications were requested from the SWI on 11 June 2020 in relation to his report. A reminder issued to the SWI on 01 July 2020.
Once the information is received the application will be processed without delay and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
