Written answers

Tuesday, 10 November 2020

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Carer's Allowance

Photo of Michael Healy-RaeMichael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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533. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the case of a person (details supplied) will be urgently reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35307/20]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather 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 in respect of her brother on 5 August 2020.

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.

The evidence submitted in support of this application was examined and the Deciding Officer (DO) 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 22 September 2020 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.

The person concerned requested both a review and an appeal of this decision on 6 October 2020 and submitted further medical evidence in support of her application. This additional evidence gave a more comprehensive description of the care requirements of the person being cared for, which indicated that full-time care and attention was required.

Consequently, upon review CA was awarded to the person concerned on 6 November 2020 with effect from 6 August 2020. The first payment will issue to her nominated bank account on 19 November 2020.

Arrears of CA due for the period 6 August 2020 to 18 November 2020 are currently being processed. The person concerned will be notified when they issue.

The person concerned was notified on 6 November 2020 of the decision and of her right of review and appeal.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

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