Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 March 2022
289. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the process to date in the determination of an appeal of a carer’s allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15721/22]
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.
I can confirm that the person concerned was in receipt of CA in respect of her care recipient from 31 May 2012 to 30 September 2021.
Once claims are in payment, the Department periodically reviews them to ensure that there is continued entitlement.
A review was initiated on this application on 5 March 2020 and the person’s file was subsequently referred to a local Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) to evaluate means and to confirm that all the conditions for receipt of CA are satisfied.
On foot of the SWI report, correspondence issued to the person concerned on 21 September 2021 to advise that her CA and Carer’s Support Grant (CSG) payments were under review as she failed to submit information requested by a SWI. In the absence of the requested information, it was not possible to determine whether the conditions for the receipt of CA were satisfied and payment to the person concerned was suspended from 30 September 2021.
On 14 March 2022 a Deciding Officer reviewed all the available information and decided that the person concerned was no longer entitled to CA as she had failed to show that she satisfied the conditions for CA and had failed to supply documentation that was requested from her. In addition, her entitlement to CA from 31 May 2012 to 30 September 2021 is also being investigated
The person concerned was notified on 14 March of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
According to the records of the Department, the person concerned has not exercised either right to date.
If the person concerned wants a review of the decision to disallow CA, it is open to them to submit the evidence to demonstrate they satisfy the conditions for receipt of the payment.
Alternatively, they may appeal the decision directly to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
The time-limit for submitting an appeal of the statutory decision is within 21 days of the decision date.
However, the right of review is not time limited.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
