Written answers

Tuesday, 17 November 2020

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Carer's Allowance

Photo of John McGuinnessJohn McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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579. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if approval for carer’s allowance will be expedited in the case of a person (details supplied). [36514/20]

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.

My Department received an application for CA from the person concerned on 30 September 2020.

Additional information in relation to the person’s financial information and training course details was requested by a Deciding Officer (DO) on 2 October 2020.  A response to this information request was received on 13 October 2020.

The evidence submitted in support of this application was examined and the claim was disallowed on two grounds.

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

The DO determined that the evidence submitted did not indicate that the requirement for full-time care was satisfied in respect of the care recipient.  

The DO also disallowed 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 CA. 

The person concerned was notified on 16 October 2020 of this decision, the reasons for it and of her right of review and appeal. 

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

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