Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

200. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a carer's allowance application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47524/18]

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 child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care. Where the child is under the age of 16, CA cannot be awarded unless a domiciliary care allowance (DCA) is in payment in respect of the child.

An application for CA was received from the person concerned in November 2017 in respect of two children. As DCA was not in payment in respect of one of the children, CA was awarded in respect of only one child.

The person concerned has requested a review of this decision. As DCA has since been awarded in respect of the child in question, CA was awarded to the person concerned on 12 November 2018 and the first payment will issue to their nominated bank account on 22 November 2018.

As the person concerned owes a debt to the Department in respect of CA previously paid while they were working in excess of 15 hours per week, arrears of allowance due from 15 June 2017 to 21 November 2018, less outstanding debt, will also issue to their bank account. The person concerned was notified of this on 12 November 2018.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.