Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 December 2023
102. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection why approved carer's allowance applicants are waiting weeks to receive their first payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53472/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government acknowledges the crucial role that carers play in Irish society and is fully committed to supporting carers in that role and aim at all time to ensure that they get their entitlements and payment accurately and quickly. I announced a number of measures for carers in Budget 2024 including:
• a €400 cost of living lump sum payment paid in November;
• a €12 increase in the maximum weekly rate of Carer's Allowance and Carer's Benefit;
• a €10 increase to Domiciliary Care Allowance;
• the Christmas Bonus double payment being paid this week;
• a double payment in January; and
• for carers with children, a €4 weekly increase in qualified child payments and a €100 lump sum payment in respect of each child.
The weekly income disregard for Carer's Allowance will also increase to €450 for a single person, and to €900 for carers with a spouse or partner - the highest income disregards in the entire social welfare system.
My Department is committed to providing a quality service to all customers, ensuring that claims are processed as quickly as possible. Currently, there are no claim backlogs on hand and claims can be processed quickly once all of the necessary information is provided. When a Carer's Allowance claim is awarded, payments are usually made to the customer the following Thursday.
In a small number of cases, where a customer is in receipt of another Social Welfare Payment from my Department, the Carer’s Allowance payment may take up to two weeks to issue. This period ensures that the original Social Welfare payment has ceased before the Carer’s Allowance payment issues and that the customer does not incur an overpayment. Any arrears due from this overlapping period, where the carers rate of payment is higher, are paid to the customer.
Having said that, I have asked my officials to keep processing of Carer’s applications under review to ensure they always receive their entitlements as quickly as possible. If the Deputy has a specific case in mind where there have been delays I would be happy to take the details and arrange to have them examined.
I hope that answers the Deputy's query.
