Written answers

Wednesday, 6 July 2016

Department of Social Protection

Carer's Allowance Applications

Photo of Michael Healy-RaeMichael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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130. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the carer's allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19941/16]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I confirm that my department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 5 February 2016.

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.

As the applicant’s spouse is self-employed and the most recent set of accounts were not submitted as required with the application, the matter was referred to a local social welfare inspector (SWI) on 9 May 2016 to assess the level of care being provided, assess means and confirm that all the conditions for receipt of carer’s allowance are satisfied.

Once the SWI has reported, a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Photo of Michael Healy-RaeMichael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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131. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the carer's allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19942/16]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 13th June 2016, who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Photo of Michael Healy-RaeMichael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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132. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the carer's allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19944/16]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The application for carer’s allowance in respect of the person concerned was awarded on 4 July 2016 and the first payment is due to issue to the person’s nominated bank account on 21 July 2016.

Arrears of allowance due from 14 January 2016 to 20 July 2016, less jobseeker’s allowance paid during that period, will issue in due course.

The person concerned was notified of these details on 4 July 2016.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Photo of Michael Healy-RaeMichael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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133. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the carer's allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19945/16]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The application for carer’s allowance in respect of the person concerned was awarded on 22 June 2016 and the first payment was issued to the person’s nominated post office on 30 June 2016.

Arrears of allowance due from 18 February 2016 have also issued to the nominated post office for payment on 7 July 2016. The person concerned was notified of these details on 22 June 2016.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Photo of Michael Healy-RaeMichael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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134. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the carer's allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19946/16]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Carer’s allowance (CA) is in payment to the person concerned since 3 October 2013 in respect of one care recipient.

I confirm that my department received an application for Carer’s Allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 24 February 2016 in respect of second care recipient. It is a condition for receipt of a CA that the person being cared for must have a disability whose effect is that they require full-time care and attention.

This is defined as requiring from another person, continual supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with normal bodily functions or continuous supervision in order to avoid danger to him or herself and likely to require that level of care for at least twelve months.

The evidence submitted in support of this application was examined and the deciding officer decided that this evidence did not indicate that the requirement for full-time care was satisfied.

The person concerned was notified on 20 June 2016 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.

The person concerned has requested a review of this decision and submitted additional evidence in support of her application on 1 July 2016. The review is currently being processed and once completed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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