Written answers

Thursday, 4 July 2019

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Carer's Allowance Review

Photo of Peter BurkePeter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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437. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the figures used to calculate means for a carer's allowance review in the case of a person (details supplied) will be clarified; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28773/19]

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 persons who are providing full-time care and attention to a person who has such a disability that they require that level of care.

It is a condition for receipt of CA that the applicant’s means are less than the statutory limit which in this case is €247.60 weekly.

The application for CA was disallowed as her means were determined to exceed the statutory limit.

Means are any income belonging to the carer and their spouse, civil partner, or cohabitant, property, (except their own home) or an asset that could bring in money or provide them with an income, for example occupational pensions, or pensions or benefits from another country.

The person concerned was notified on 23 May 2019 of this decision the reason for it and her right of review and appeal.

A review of this decision was requested on 5 June 2019.

The evidence before the deciding officer for the review included a payslip from the person concerned dated 21 April 2019 which showed a gross income of €5,870.92 for eighteen insurable weeks, averaging €326.16 per week. When allowable deductions of €36.79 were applied, the weekly assessable income was €289.37.

Also before the deciding officer was a payslip from the husband of the person concerned dated 9 May 2019 which showed a gross income of €26,039.47 for nineteen insurable weeks, averaging €1,370.50 per week. When allowable deductions of €224.95 were applied, the weekly assessable income was €1,145.55.

Total assessable weekly income from both employment is €1,434.92 (€289.37 + €1,145.55).

A disregard for a married couple of €665.00 then applied and the remainder was halved. The carer’s means were therefore assessed at €384.96 per week which is in excess of the statutory means limit of €247.60.

Following this review the deciding officer decided that her means still exceeded the statutory limit and that consequently there would be no change to the original decision.

The person concerned was notified of the outcome on 19 June 2019 and of her right of appeal.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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