Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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546. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an oral hearing can be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied) in respect of an alleged overpayment in respect of a carer's allowance given the position of her Department in respect of oral hearings and given the existence of Covid-19 in recent years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4509/22]

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 person who has such a disability that they require that level of care.

Following a reassessment of the person concerned CA, it was found their means were in excess of the statutory limit for receipt of CA. The CA of the person was terminated on 13 February 2019 with effect from 30 November 2016 and an overpayment was raised.

The person concerned was notified on 7 February 2019 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.

Oral hearings may be provided for when considering an appeal of a decision. To date the person concerned has not requested an appeal of this decision.

The time-limit for submitting an appeal of the statutory decision is within 21 days of the decision date. While this time-limit has expired, the Chief Appeals Officer has discretion to accept late appeals where there may be valid reasons for a delay.

To request that a late appeal be accepted the person concerned should forward a completed appeal application form directly to the Social Welfare Appeals Office, including an explanation for the delay. There is further information about the late appeals application process available on the Social Welfare Appeals Office’s website at: www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/031734-the-social-welfare-appeals-office/ .

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.