Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

575. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when arrears will issue to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27046/20]

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 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 successful where Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is awarded.

DCA was awarded to the person concerned in respect of the care recipient on 17 February 2020.

An application for CA in respect of this care recipient was received from the person concerned on 26 August 2020.

Where a CA application is submitted within 6 months of a DCA application and the deciding officer considers it has been shown that there was good cause for the delay in making the application, the payment is often automatically backdated, otherwise payment is only awarded form the date of application. Should the person concerned provide good cause for the delay in submitting his application for CA, backdating can be considered in this case.

On 14 September 2020 CA was awarded to the person concerned from 27 August 2020, with the first payment issuing to the preferred payment option of the person concerned, as did all arrears of allowance due from 27 August 2020 to 16 September 2020.

The person concerned was notified on 14 September 2020 of this decision, the reason for it and of his right of review and appeal.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.