Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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457. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if applications for the carer's allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) can be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8121/23]

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 the Department received two applications for CA from the person concerned on 1 December 2022.

An information request issued in relation to both applications to the person concerned by a Deciding Officer (DO) on 6 December 2022. On foot of this , further correspondence from the person concerned was received by the Department on the 27 January 2023.

It is a condition for receipt of CA that the applicant’s means are less than the statutory limit, which in this case is €227.60 per week. It is also a condition that the person being cared for must have such a disability that they require full-time care and attention.

Both applications were disallowed as the means were assessed at €1,361.42 weekly which exceeded the statutory limit and as the evidence submitted in relation to the care requirements in support of this application was insufficient to indicate that the requirement for full-time care and attention was satisfied.

The person concerned was notified on 4 February 2023 of this decision, the reason for it and of their right of review and appeal in both cases.

A review of each decision was carried out on 14 February 2023 and the outcome of both reviews was that the original decisions remain unchanged.

The person concerned was notified about this on 14 February 2023 and of their right of review and appeal.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.