Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

125. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied) under the carer's allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12315/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Carer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment, made to persons who are providing full-time care and attention to a person who has a disability such that they require that level of care.

The person concerned was refused carer’s allowance on 28 January 2016 on the grounds that he was not providing full-time care and attention as required.

The person appealed this decision to the social welfare appeals office (SWAO). All the necessary papers, along with a submission from the deciding officer, have been submitted to the SWAO on 25 May 2016 for determination.

In the meantime, both the person concerned and his partner are in receipt of a weekly social welfare support.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

126. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if, and when, he will restore a basic social protection payment to a person (details supplied) whose application under the carer’s allowance scheme is on appeal; if he has discontinued the principle of making a basic payment while an application is on appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12344/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Carer’s allowance (CA) was in payment to the person concerned from 15 April 2010 to 27 January 2016. The person concerned was notified on 24 March 2016 that her payment had been terminated as she had failed to co-operate with a social welfare inspector (SWI) during the course of an investigation, contrary to the rules governing the scheme.

The person concerned has recently appealed this decision to the social welfare appeals office (SWAO). My department is currently preparing a submission in relation to the case as required by the SWAO. Once this is completed, the submission and other relevant documentation will be sent to the SWAO for determination.

A person who is appealing a decision made by my Department may apply for means-tested supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) from her local community welfare service while the appeal is ongoing. There is no automatic qualification for an interim SWA payment, the applicant must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the relevant designated officer in the community welfare service that they are eligible for such a payment.