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.

A Carer's Allowance award letter issued to the person concerned on 1 March 2023.  This included details in relation to the backdating of their payment.  As the person concerned had an outstanding debt with the Department, a letter from the Department's Debt Recovery Section issued to the person concerned on 3 March 2023.  This letter proposed that part of the arrears of CA would be withheld to clear the outstanding debt to the Department.  The person concerned was given the option to contact the Department within 21 days if there were any facts or circumstances that the person would like considered in this regard.  As no response was received, the amount of the outstanding debt was withheld from the arrears and the balance was paid to their nominated bank account on 5 April 2023.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.