Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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722. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a review can be undertaken into eligibility for a carer's allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21973/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, 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 29 May 2020.

The evidence submitted in support of this application was examined and the deciding officer decided to disallow the application for CA on grounds that the person concerned was taking part in a Community Employment (CE) Scheme. Section 247 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 2005, as amended, prohibits a person engaged in a CE Scheme from claiming Carer’s Allowance or Carer’s Benefit.

The person concerned was notified on 11 August 2020 of this decision, the reason for it and of his right of review and appeal. To date he has exercised neither right.

Should the circumstances of the person concerned change, he can request a review of his claim or submit a new application form.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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723. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (detail supplied) did not receive carer's allowance while caring for their dying spouse; and if the allowance can be paid retrospectively and an acknowledgment be made for the care given by the person to their spouse. [21986/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, 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 increased payment can be made where full-time care is being provided to two people.

I can confirm that my department received two applications for CA from the person concerned, the first on 31 Jul 2019, in respect of her husband and the second on 6 August 2019, in respect of her daughter.

In the case of the application received on 6 August 2019, the application was awarded to the person concerned on 3 September 2019 with effect from 8 August 2019. The first payment issued to her nominated bank account on 12 September 2019. Arrears due from 8 August 2019 to 11 September 2019 issued also.

The person concerned was notified on 3 September 2019 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.

The evidence submitted in support of the application received on 31 July 2019 was examined and the deciding officer decided that the person concerned did not make the claim for CA within the prescribed timeframe. The person they were caring for was deceased prior to receipt of the application.

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

The person concerned appealed this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) on 2 October 2019.

The outcome of the appeal is that the original decision is confirmed.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.