Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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985. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if consideration will be given to allow a person (details supplied) to qualify as a carer for persons. [14586/21]

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 CA in respect of two care recipients on 07 May 2020.

It is a condition for receipt of CA that the applicant’s means are less than the statutory limit. The person concerned did not provide such certificates, documents information or evidence as requested and means could not be determined.

It is a further condition for CA that the applicant be considered habitually resident in this State. A Deciding Officer (DO), based on the evidence submitted, decided the person concerned was not habitually resident in the State.

Both applications for CA were disallowed and the person concerned was notified on 15 July 2020 of these decisions, the reason for them and of her right of review and appeal.

A review was requested on 5 August 2020.  Following this review, the decisions remained unchanged.

A further review was requested on 23 September 2020. Documentation was submitted and the means condition was satisfied. However, the habitual residency condition was not satisfied.

The person concerned was notified on 27 October 2020 that she does not have an entitlement to CA, the reasons for it and of her right of review and appeal.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.