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.

Once claims are in payment, the Department periodically reviews them to ensure that there is continued entitlement.

A review was initiated on this application and the person’s file was subsequently referred to a local Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) to evaluate means and to confirm that all the conditions for receipt of CA are satisfied.

It is a necessary condition for receipt of CA that full-time care and attention must be provided.

A person can be considered to be providing full-time care and attention where they are engaged in employment, self-employment or on training courses for a maximum of 18.5 hours per week, provided that they can show to the satisfaction of a deciding officer that adequate care has been provided for the care recipient in their absence.

On foot of the SWI report, correspondence issued to the person concerned on 10 February 2022 advising their CA was being reconsidered which could result in their payment being terminated and afforded them an opportunity to submit any statement or evidence they wished to have considered.

On 25 February 2022 additional time was requested to provide evidence.

By 12 April 2022, no further information was received, and notification issued to the person concerned confirming their payment would stop on 27 April 2022.

On 14 April 2022 further information was provided and following a review of this information, carer's allowance was reinstated from 28 April 2022.

The person concerned was notified on 25 April 2022 of this decision, the reason for it and of his right of review and appeal.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.