Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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995. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if consideration will be given to allow a person (details supplied) to qualify as carer for a couple given the circumstances. [19702/22]

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.

It is a condition for receipt of CA that the applicant’s means are less than the statutory limit.  It is a further condition for CA that the applicant be considered habitually resident in this State.

I can confirm that my department received an application from the person concerned for CA in respect of two care recipients on 07 May 2020.  This application was disallowed as the person concerned failed to satisfy the HRC condition and failed to provide information requested in relation to their means.

A review was requested on 5 August 2020.  Following this review, the decision remained unchanged.

A further review was requested on 23 September 2020.  Documentation submitted in support of the review request was examined and the means condition was satisfied.  However, as the habitual residency condition was not satisfied the application was disallowed.

The person concerned was notified of the review outcome on 27 October 2020, 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 wish to advise that it is open to the person concerned to contact the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) at 0818 747474 or swappeals@welfare.ie to see if it is possible to request a late appeal.  The person concerned would be required to outline why she did not appeal the decision within 21 days of the outcome of the review of 27 October 2020.  The Appeals Office would then decide if a late appeal will be accepted.

If the circumstance of the person concerned has changed since the original application in May 2020, it is also open to them to submit a new application for CA and all conditions required to satisfy an entitlement to CA can be assessed again.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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996. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an application for fuel allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19738/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The person in question is in receipt of invalidity pension.  An application for the national fuel scheme (fuel allowance) was received from the person concerned on 21 March 2022.  He was found eligible for fuel allowance with effect from 24 March 2022.  Notification  of this decision issued on 05 April 2022.  Arrears due will issue to his nominated bank account on 14 April 2022.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.