Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

123. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a decision has been made on the review of further information submitted for a review of a decision on a carer’s allowance appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45618/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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.

It is a condition for receipt of CA that the applicant’s means are less than the statutory limit which in this case is €222.60 weekly.

Means are any income belonging to the carer and their spouse, civil partner, or cohabitant, property, (except their own home) or an asset that could bring in money or provide them with an income, for example occupational pensions, or pensions or benefits from another country.

The evidence before the deciding officer included a valuation of a second property, capital and a small farm income. Following the means calculations and relevant disregards the person concerned was found to have means in excess of the statutory means limit of €222.60.

The application for CA was accordingly disallowed as his means were determined to exceed the statutory limit. The person concerned was notified on 28 April 2021 of this decision, the reason for it and his right of review and appeal.

The person concerned appealed this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) on 14 May 2021.

The outcome of the appeal is that it was disallowed and the original decision still stands.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.