Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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43. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection to examine the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin who was advised to maintain a carer's allowance. [3380/16]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Carer's Allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment, made to a person who is providing full-time care and attention to a person who has a disability such that they require that level of care. CA was in payment to the person concerned from 3 September 2009 in respect of her son.

The claim was referred to a local social welfare inspector (SWI) on 7 May 2015 to confirm that all the conditions for receipt of CA were continuing to be satisfied.

During this review, it was found that her son was a full-time resident in a care home since 22 December 2013.

CA may be payable for a maximum of 13 weeks where either the carer or care recipient is undergoing medical or other treatment of a temporary nature in an institution such as a hospital, convalescent, nursing or care home.

As her son became a permanent resident from 22 December 2013, CA was no longer payable.

Payment of CA was stopped from 28 May 2015 and an overpayment of €16,841.40 was assessed for the period from 26 December 2013 to 27 May 2015.

The person concerned was notified on 22 September 2015 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.

The person concerned has appealed this decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO).The SWAO will be in contact directly with the person concerned in relation to the progress of the appeal.