Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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309. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will ensure that funding received as part of the basic income for the arts pilot scheme is not taken into consideration when means testing for social welfare payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5608/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Arts and Culture Taskforce recommended the introduction of a pilot basic income scheme for artists. This was reflected in the National Economic Recovery Plan. Budget 2022 included an announcement of €25 million to pilot a new Basic Income Guarantee scheme for artists.

My colleague the Minister for Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media has lead responsibility for this initiative and the matter is being progressed by Minister Martin and her Department.

Any issues regarding the interaction between the new pilot payment and existing payments from my Department will fall to be addressed in due course as work on the proposed pilot is progressed.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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310. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will advise on the case of a person case (details supplied). [5610/22]

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 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 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. The Department has no record of a request for a review or an appeal of this decision.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.