Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

290. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the file of a person (details supplied) who submitted a carer's allowance appeal on 8 November 2017 is expected to be forwarded to the appeals section; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7895/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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

An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 17 August 2017.

It is a condition for receipt of CA that the applicant’s means are less than the statutory limit which in this case is €257.60 weekly. The application was disallowed as her means were determined to exceed the statutory limit.

The person concerned was notified on 5 October 2017 of this decision the reason for it and her right of review and appeal.

A review of this decision was requested on 20 October 2017 and following this review the deciding officer decided that her means still exceeded the statutory limit and consequently there would be no change to the original decision.

The person concerned was notified of the outcome on 7 November 2017 and of her right of appeal.

My department were notified on 17 November 2017 that the person concerned had appealed this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). A submission in support of the decision has been forwarded along with the file on 13 February to the SWAO for determination.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.