Written answers

Thursday, 3 June 2021

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Social Welfare Payments

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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309. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a full review of the case of a person (details supplied) can be undertaken with a view to reimbursing payment that was taken from their weekly payment in respect of an overpayment that was never proven to have been paid to them directly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30436/21]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Social Welfare legislation states that the person with whom a qualified child normally resides is the person to whom Child Benefit is payable.

The customer concerned received Child Benefit for a period during which the child did not reside with her.  As a result she was not entitled to Child Benefit for that period and a revised decision was made to disallow Child Benefit from August to October 2006.

This resulted in an overpayment of €450.  The customer was notified of the decision in November 2006.

The Department has already reviewed this matter in response to earlier parliamentary questions on this same matter and is satisfied that the payments referred to issued to the person concerned.  The payment was issued to the same Post Office as other earlier child benefit payments made to the person concerned.  Social Welfare payments made at Post Offices must be collected in person by the customer they issue to.  

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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310. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person (details supplied) is in receipt of all social welfare payments they are entitled to under the social welfare code; if application forms will be provided for payments they may qualify for; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30438/21]

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 persons who are providing full-time care and attention to a person who has such a disability that they require that level of care.

If a person is in receipt of another social welfare payment in their own right (other than unemployment payments or supplementary welfare allowance) or being claimed as a qualified adult on their spouse/partner's payment, a half-rate CA can be paid as long as all the normal conditions for receipt of CA are satisfied.

These conditions require that the applicant is habitually resident in the State, must be providing full-time care and attention to a person who has such a disability that they require full-time care and attention and their means must be below the statutory limit.

The person concerned is in a receipt of a State Pension (Contributory) pension.  As he currently satisfies the qualifying conditions, CA is paid at half-rate.

CA recipients automatically qualify for the Carer's Support Grant (CSG), an annual payment of €1,850, which is not means-tested or taxed, Free Travel and, if they are living with the care recipient, the Household Benefits package. 

They can also register for a GP Visit card through the Health Service Executive.

The person concerned is in receipt of all payments he is entitled to under the Carers Allowance scheme. Further information on all Social Welfare entitlements is available on www.gov.ie.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

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