Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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1122. 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. [2639/20]

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.

My department received an application for CA from the person concerned on 6 February 2019. 

It is a condition for receipt of CA that the person being cared for must have such disability that they require full-time care and attention.

This is defined as requiring from another person, continual supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with normal bodily functions or continual supervision in order to avoid danger to him or herself and is likely to require that level of care for at least twelve months.

The evidence submitted in support of this application was examined and the deciding officer decided that this evidence did not indicate that the requirement for full-time care was satisfied in respect of the care recipient.

The person concerned was notified on 16 May 2019 of this decision, the reasons for it and of his right of review and appeal.

The person concerned requested a review of this decision and submitted additional evidence in support of his application.

The outcome of the review was that the decision still stood; review no change. The person concerned was notified of the outcome on 23 September 2019, the reason for it and of his right of appeal. 

My department was notified that the person concerned had appealed this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) and a submission was prepared and forwarded to the SWAO on 24 October 2019.

As a result of an Appeals Officer’s decision, CA was awarded to the person concerned on 12 February 2020 with effect from 7 February 2019. The first payment issued to his nominated post office on 20 February 2020.

Arrears for the period 7 February 2019 to 19 February 2020 were issued by cheque on 12 February 2020.

The person concerned was notified of this on 12 February 2020.

A further review of this award took place on 27 February 2020 and full rate of CA was awarded from 23 May 2019.

The first full rate payment will issue to his nominated post office on 5 March 2020.

Arrears due from 23 May 2019 to 4 March 2020 will issue shortly.

The person concerned was notified of this on 27 February 2020.  

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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1123. 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. [2641/20]

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.

An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 15 May 2019.

A person can be considered to be providing full-time care and attention where they are engaged in employment, self-employment or on training courses outside the home for a maximum of 15 hours per week up to 31December 2019 and 18.5 hours from 1 January 2020, provided that they can show to the satisfaction of a deciding officer that adequate care has been provided for the care recipient in their absence.

The evidence submitted in support of this application was examined and the deciding officer decided that this condition had not been satisfied.

The person concerned was notified on 16 September 2019 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.

The person concerned requested an appeal of this decision and provided further supporting documentation to confirm her hours of employment had reduced from week ending 29 September 2019. 

A review took place before the application was sent for appeal and the application was awarded to the person concerned on 3 December 2019 with effect from 26 September 2019. The first payment issued to her nominated bank account on 5 December 2019. 

Arrears due from 26 September 2019 to 11 December 2019 issued to the person concerned nominated bank account on 12 December 2019.

The person concerned was notified on 3 December 2019 of this decision.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.