Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 July 2022
1311. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the current position with regard to the carer’s allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41847/22]
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 a disability, as a result of which, they require that level of care.
I can confirm that the person concerned was in receipt of CA in respect of their son from 16 December 2010 to 30 May 2012 and in respect of their spouse from 31 May 2012 to 29 September 2021.
Once claims are in payment, the Department periodically reviews them to ensure that there is continued entitlement.
Such a review was initiated in this case 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 were satisfied.
On foot of the SWI report, correspondence issued to the person concerned on 21 September 2021 to advise that their CA and Carer’s Support Grant (CSG) payments were under review as they had 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 they had failed to show that they satisfied the conditions for CA and had failed to supply documentation that was requested from them. The person concerned was advised of their right of review and appeal. No request for a review or appeal was received by the Department.
The person concerned has also been requested to provide relevant documentary evidence or statements in support of the entire period they were in receipt of CA in order that a full review of entitlement be undertaken. No response has been received to date.
The person concerned also made a CA application in respect of their mother on 11th February 2021. Following consideration of this application, a decision was made that the conditions for the receipt of CA were not met. This decision issued to the person concerned on 11 March 2021. On the request of the person concerned, a review of this decision was sought. As a result, the application was reviewed by a Deciding Officer. The original decision was upheld, and this was notified to the person concerned on 14 April 2021. The person concerned was advised of their right of appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. No request for an appeal was received.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
