Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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1076. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a carer’s allowance appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8551/20]

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 24 September 2019.

It is a condition for receipt of a 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 likely to require that level of care for at least twelve months.

In addition, every applicant for a social welfare payment is required to furnish a deciding officer with such certificates, documents, information and evidence as may be required for the purpose of deciding a claim.  

I advised by my Department that the person concerned did not provide documents that were requested in relation to her means.  In addition it was decided that the person being cared for did not require full-time care and attention.  Therefore her application for CA was disallowed.

The person concerned was notified on 24 October 2019 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.

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

Following this review the decision in relation to the medical has remained unchanged.

The person concerned was notified on 7 January 2020 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.

The person concerned requested an additional review of this decision and submitted additional medical evidence in support of her application.

Following this additional review the decision has remained unchanged.

The person concerned was notified on 17 February 2020 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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1077. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a carer’s allowance appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8552/20]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision on 12 February 2020.  Under social welfare legislation the decision of the Appeals Officer is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed by an Appeals Officer in the light of new evidence or new facts, or where there has been a change of circumstances which has come to notice since the date of the Appeals Officer's original decision. 

I am advised that the person concerned submitted additional evidence on 6 April 2020 and that the Appeals Officer has agreed to review the case.  The person concerned will be contacted when the review of his appeal has been finalised.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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1078. 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. [8553/20]

Regina 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.

Under social welfare legislation, CA for the care of a care recipient who is aged less than 16 years can only be awarded where domiciliary care allowance (DCA) is in payment.

An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 28 November 2019.

As DCA was not awarded in respect of the care recipient, the CA application was disallowed.  The person concerned was notified on 15 April 2020 of this decision, the reason for it and of his right of review and appeal.

The person concerned has requested an appeal of the decision and their file was prepared and submitted to the appeals office on 26 May 2020.

Once a decision on the appeal is made, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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1079. 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. [8554/20]

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.

I confirm that my department received an application for CA from the person concerned on 12 December 2019. 

The application was awarded to the person concerned on 17 February 2020 with effect from 12 December 2019.  The first payment issued to her nominated bank account on 20 February 2020. 

Arrears of allowance due from 12 December 2019 to 19 February 2020 issued on 20 February 2020.

The person concerned was notified on 17 February 2020 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy. 

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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1080. 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. [8555/20]

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.

I confirm that my department received an application for CA from the person concerned on 4 March 2020. 

The application was awarded to the person concerned on 17 April 2020 with effect from 5 March 2020. The first payment issued to his nominated bank account on 30 April 2020. 

The person concerned was notified on 17 April 2020 of this decision, the reason for it and of his right of review and appeal.

Arrears of allowance due from 5 March 2020 to 29 April 2020 issued on 23 April 2020.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.