Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
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103. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the protocol in relation to assistant principals and principal officers using their private cars and claiming unvouched expenses when official cars are available in his Department; if he has received any complaints regarding same; and the oversight that is in place to deal with same.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Carer’s allowance is a means-tested payment for carers on low incomes who are habitually resident in the State and who look after certain people in need of full time care and attention. Reviews of customer income, capital, investments and other relevant circumstances are undertaken on an on-going basis.

Customers are required to notify the Department of any change in their circumstances and to cooperate with any reviews of their entitlement.

The person concerned was awarded carer’s allowance with effect from 6th May 2010. In order to review the continuing eligibility of the person in question to carer's allowance, a form was issued to him for completion on the 24th July 2013 and, when it was not returned, a reminder was issued on 31st August 2013. The completed form was received back from the person in question on the 7th of November 2013. On foot of the response, the file was sent to a social welfare investigative officer to interview the person and to establish their means. Following the review a deciding officer decided that the means of the person in question exceeded the statutory limit for the period from 5th of January 2012 to 15th of January 2014 and that, as a result, he was not entitled to carer’s allowance.

The person in question was notified of this decision on 4th March 2014, the reason for it and of his right of review or appeal. This revised decision results in an overpayment of €21,624.00 and this sum is recoverable by the department. An officer of the department will be in touch with the person concerned shortly with regard to the recovery of the overpayment.