John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

685. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason for the reduction in payments to a person (details supplied). [21585/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, 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.

If a person is in receipt of another social welfare payment in their own right (other than unemployment payments or supplementary welfare allowance) or being claimed as a qualified adult on their spouse/partner's payment, a half-rate CA can be paid too as long as all the normal conditions for receipt of CA are satisfied.

An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 21 July 2017 in respect of the person's first care recipient.

The person concerned was a Qualified Adult (QA) on their spouse’s Disability Allowance (DA) from 28 September 2016. Consequently, CA was awarded for one care recipient at half rate since 27 July 2017.

My department received an application for CA for a second care recipient, on the 7 March 2019.

CA was awarded to the person concerned on 27 May 2019 with effect from 7 March 2019 in respect of her second care recipient. The person concerned was notified on 27 May 2019 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.

Arrears of CA due for the period 7 March 2019 to 5 June 2019 were calculated once the QA payment on her spouse's DA stopped, less any QA payment made during this period. The arrears payment issued to the nominated post office of the person concerned on 6 June 2019.

The person concerned appealed the date of award and requested backdating of CA. The appeal was partially awarded by the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO), and CA was backdated by six months.

Following the SWAO partial award ruling, CA was backdated and rerated to full rate from 6 September 2018. Arrears of CA due from 6 September 2018 to 28 February 2019 were issued, less the QA payment received on their spouse’s DA during this period. I can confirm that these arrears issued to the nominated post office of the person concerned on 10 August 2020.

Having re-checked the arrears payment, it was noted that a further deduction was made in error. This has since been rectified and any further arrears owing will be issued without delay.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.