Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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487. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an appeal for a carer’s allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8189/21]

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.

I confirm that my Department received an application for Carer’s Allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 10 June 2020.

On foot of a social welfare inspectors (SWI) report, a Deciding Officer (DO) decided that although the person concerned was providing a certain amount of care, the level involved did not amount to full-time care. It was determined the full-time care and attention criteria was not satisfied and the application for CA was disallowed. The person concerned was notified on 9 October 2020 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.

A review of this decision was requested. Following this review the decision remained unchanged. The person concerned was notified of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of appeal.

The person concerned appealed this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). As a result of an Appeals Officer’s (AO) decision, CA was awarded with effect from 11 June 2020. The person concerned was notified of this decision on 20 January 2021.

The first payment issued to her nominated bank account on 21 January 2021. Arrears for the period 11 June 2020 to 20 January 2021 issued to the person concerned on 11 February 2021.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.