Written answers

Thursday, 28 September 2023

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Social Welfare Payments

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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212. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will be made on the review of a disability allowance payment to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42061/23]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Disability Allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under the age of 66. This disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, means test and Habitual Residency conditions.

My Department received correspondence from the person concerned on 21 July 2023 notifying a change of circumstances and requesting a review of her entitlement to DA. Following a review, based on the information available to the Department, it was found that the person's means had decreased with effect from 19 July 2023.

A letter notifying the person of this decision issued on 25 September 2023. The person concerned was notified of their right to request a review of this decision or to appeal it to the SWAO.

Arrears of payment, if due, will issue as soon as possible once any necessary adjustment is calculated and applied in respect of any overlapping payments from other Social Welfare schemes, if applicable.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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213. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if and when carer's allowance in respect of her mother and father might be awarded in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42092/23]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather 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 increased payment can be made where full-time care is being provided to two people.

I can confirm two applications were received for CA from the person concerned on 24 March 2023.

In the case of the first care recipient, the application was awarded to the person concerned on 29 May 2023 with effect from 30 March 2023. The first payment issued to their nominated bank account on 15 June 2023. Arrears due from 30 March 2023 to 14 June 2023 issued on 13 July 2023.

It is a condition for receipt of a CA that the person being cared for must have such disability that 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 the second 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 May 2023 of this decision, the reason for it and of their right of review and appeal.

I hope this clarifies theposition for the Deputy.

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