Written answers

Thursday, 12 July 2018

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Carer's Allowance Applications

Photo of Robert TroyRobert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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723. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an application by a person (details supplied) for a carer's review will be expedited. [32387/18]

Photo of Regina DohertyRegina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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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.

My department received an application for CA from the person concerned on 22 November 2016. It is a condition for receipt of CA that every claimant shall furnish such certificates, documents, information and evidence as may be required for the purposes of deciding their claim.

The person was asked to provide bank statements and evidence to support his assertion that he had ceased self-employment, but did not do so. Accordingly the deciding officer decided that he was not entitled to CA.

The person concerned was notified on 3 May 2017 of this decision, the reason for it and of his right of review and appeal.

Further documents were received on 4 April 2018 and the matter was referred again to the local social welfare inspector (SWI) for investigation.

Following the completion of the SWI investigation, a deciding officer requested further documentary evidence from the person concerned which to date he has failed to supply.

However, as the deciding officer was satisfied that the person concerned had ceased employment and self-employment since January 2018, CA was awarded to him on 6 July 2018 and the first payment issued to his nominated bank account on 12 July 2018.

Arrears of allowance due from to 18 January 2018 to 11 July 2018 have also issued. The person concerned was notified of these details on 6 July 2018.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Photo of Robert TroyRobert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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724. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a carer's allowance and a domiciliary care allowance will be granted to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32389/18]

Photo of Regina DohertyRegina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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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.

Domiciliary care allowance (DCA) is a monthly payment for a child aged less than 16 years of age, with a severe disability, who requires ongoing care and attention, substantially over and above the care and attention usually required by a child of the same age. It is not means tested.

CA can only be paid in respect of children aged less than 16 years where DCA is being paid in respect of the child.

I confirm that my department received an application for CA and DCA from the person concerned on the 24 April 2018.

DCA was awarded to the person concerned on 29 June 2018, arrears for the period 1 March 2018 to 30 June 2018 will issue shortly. The person concerned was notified of this decision the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal on 29 June 2018.

The application for CA 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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