Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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258. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which rent supplement remains payable in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10794/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Rent Supplement provides short-term income support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source.  The scheme ensures that for those who were renting, but whose circumstances have changed due to temporary loss of employment, can continue to meet their rental commitments.

The responsibility for the provision of rent support to those with a long-term housing need has transferred from the Department of Social Protection to the local authorities.  Persons with a long-term housing need should contact their local authority where information is available regarding suitable housing supports including the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP).

The person concerned has been in receipt of a Rent Supplement since 01/09/2007 and is currently receiving a payment of €370 per month.  On several occasions the person has been asked to provide evidence of his application for a Housing Needs Assessment to Kildare County Council - the most recent request issued on 17/02/2023.  To-date this information has not been provided.  It is important that the person engages with his local authority and provides my Department with the necessary documentation to avoid any interruption to his Rent Supplement payment.

I trust this clarifies the matter.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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259. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the current status of social welfare claims in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [10799/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Carer's allowance 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 Carer's allowance was received from the person concerned on 25 January 2023.

The application is currently being processed and once completed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

It should be noted that Fuel Allowance is not payable with Carer's Allowance.  However, if another person in the home is in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment, they may apply for same.  Only one Fuel Allowance may be claimed per household.

For more information, please visit www.gov.ie/en/service/00aa38-fuel-allowance/ or email NationalFuelscheme@welfare.ie.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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260. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will provide a status update on a carer’s allowance claim in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [10800/23]

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.

An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 30 November 2022.

Further information was requested from the applicant on 8 December 2022 and a response was received by the Department on 22 December 2022.

Carer's Allowance was awarded to the person concerned on 8 February 2023, with effect from 9 February 2023 and the first payment and 1 week of arrears issued to the nominated bank account on 16 February 2023.

The person concerned was notified on 8 February 2023 of this decision, the reason for it and of their right of review and appeal.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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261. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will provide a status update on a carer’s allowance claim in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [10801/23]

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.

An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 30 November 2022.

It is a condition for receipt of CA that the person concerned must be providing full-time care and attention and it is a further condition that the person being cared for must require full-time care and attention for at least 12 months

The evidence submitted in support of this application was examined and the Deciding Officer (DO) decided that the evidence submitted did not indicate that either of these conditions was satisfied.

The person concerned was notified on 31 January 2023 of this decision, the reason for it and of the right of review and appeal.

To date, a request for review or appeal has not been received. 

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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262. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will provide a status update on a carer’s allowance claim in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [10803/23]

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.

An application for Carer's Allowance (CA) was received from the person concerned on 21 July 2022.

It is a condition for receipt of a Carer's Allowance (CA) that the person being cared for must have such a disability that as a result they require full-time care and attention.

This is defined as requiring from another person, continual supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with normal bodily functions or continual supervision in order to avoid danger to him or herself and likely to require that level of care for at least twelve months.

The evidence submitted in support of this application was examined and the deciding officer decided that this evidence did not indicate that the requirement for full-time care was satisfied.

The person concerned was notified on 29 August 2022 of this decision, the reason for it and of the right of review and/or appeal.

The person concerned requested a review of this decision on 27 October 2022; however, the decision remained unchanged.

The person concerned appealed this decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) on 7 November 2022.

As a result of an appeals officer’s decision, Carer's Allowance (CA) was awarded to the person concerned on 1 February 2023 with effect from 21 July 2022.  The first payment issued to the nominated bank account on 9 February 2023.

Arrears for the period 21 July 2022 to 8 February 2022 issued to the person concerned on 9 February 2023.

The person concerned was notified of the outcome on 1 February 2023.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.