Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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1050. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38910/23]

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.

It is a condition for receipt of Carer's Allowance that every claimant shall furnish such certificates, documents, information, and evidence as may be required for the purposes of deciding their claim including that requested by a Social Welfare Inspector (SWI).

An application was received from the person concerned on 3 February 2023. The application was referred to a local SWI on 8 February 2023 to assess the level of care being provided, assess means, confirm the number of hours worked per week and that all of the conditions for receipt of Carer’s Allowance are satisfied.

On receipt of the SWI report, the Deciding Officer was unable to determine if these conditions were satisfied, as the person concerned had failed to provide all of the information requested by the SWI, and they did not qualify for Carer’s Allowance. The person concerned was notified of this decision on 4 May 2023 and of their right to request a review and/or an appeal.

On receipt of correspondence, a review initiated on 22 June 2023.

This application was reassigned to the SWI on 22 June 2023 to determine whether all conditions were satisfied. Further information was received on 4 September which is currently being assessed.

Once the Social Welfare Inspector has reported, a decision will be made, and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome in writing.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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1051. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38912/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department has not received an application for Carer’s Allowance from the person concerned. However, the person did apply for Carer's Benefit.

Carer's Benefit is a payment made to insured people who leave the workforce or reduce their working hours to care for a child or an adult in need of full-time care and attention. To qualify, the carer must satisfy PRSI conditions, employment conditions, show that they are providing full-time care and attention and show that the care recipient requires full-time care and attention.

An application for Carer’s Benefit was received from the person concerned on 10 January 2023. The claim was disallowed as the care recipient was deemed not to require full time care and attention based on the submitted medical information. Notification of this decision was issued to the person on 2 February 2023.

A request for an appeal of this decision was received by the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 24 February 2023.

The Appeals Officer examined all the relevant information and upheld the Department's original decision. Notification of the Appeal outcome issued directly to the person concerned on 5 July 2023.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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1052. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38914/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Carer's Benefit is a payment made to insured people who leave the workforce or reduce their working hours to care for a child or an adult in need of full-time care and attention. To qualify, the carer must satisfy PRSI conditions; employment conditions; show that they are providing full-time care and attention; and must show that the care recipient requires full-time care and attention.

Applications for Carer's Benefit in respect of two care recipients were received from the person concerned on 21 August 2023.

To ensure fairness, applications are worked on in chronological date order of receipt. The applications of the person concerned are currently awaiting review by a Medical Assessor of my Department to assist in determining whether the medical eligibility criteria of the scheme have been met. The outcome of this review will be considered by a Deciding Officer who will also examine all other factors related to the qualifying conditions for Carer’s Benefit. If any further information is required from the person concerned, this will be requested in writing.

Once all relevant information is available, the applications will be processed without delay and the person concerned will be contacted directly.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.