Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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481. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the social welfare payment a person (details supplied) is receiving; the value of same; if the person's carer's allowance payment has ceased; if there is an application with her Department for disability or invalidity for the person; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48756/19]

Regina 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 child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.

The person concerned was in receipt of carer's allowance until 31 October 2019, at which time it was stopped as the care recipient went into full-time residential care in a nursing home.

The person concerned has been awarded a basic supplementary welfare allowance of €40.20 effective as of 7 November 2019. The three weeks of these payments due were issued as one payment of €120.60 on 21 November 2019. She has also received an Exceptional Needs Payment of €150 on 21 November 2019.

The person concerned submitted an application for Disability Allowance (DA) on 12 July 2019. I am advised that their application, based upon all the evidence submitted, was disallowed on medical grounds as it was not found that this lady was substantially restricted in taking up employment. The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 30 September 2019.

The person requested a review of the decision by a deciding officer (DO) and submitted additional medical evidence for consideration on 9 October 2019 and on 8 November 2019.

The person in question has also submitted an appeal, on the DA decision, to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). All the relevant papers requested by that Office are being prepared and will be submitted by the Department shortly. The SWAO will be in touch with the person in due course in relation to the appeal.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.