Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

550. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her Department will examine the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare and the carer payment level of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4852/22]

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 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.

An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 30 November 2021.

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 submitted in support of this application was examined and the means of the person concerned were assessed as €272.01 per week which derived from her spouse’s income.

The person concerned was deemed to have means in excess prior to 6 January 2022. Due to a budgetary change which took effect on that day, she was awarded carer's allowance of €7 per week from 6 January 2022.

The person concerned was notified of this decision on 14 December 2021, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.

As part of Budget 2022, the income and capital limits for the Carer’s Allowance means assessment are being increased, effective from June 2022. The Department will review the entitlement of existing customers to take account of these budget changes. Any change will be applied to the CA payment of the person concerned from June 2022.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.