Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Carer's Benefit (CARB) 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.

An application for CARB was received from the person concerned on 19 September 2023.

Additional information in relation to the person’s application was requested by a deciding officer on the 5 October 2023 to determine whether the person concerned met the eligibility requirements for payment.

Some - but not all - of the information was provided by the person on the 20 October 2023. Due to the failure to provide all of the requested information, it was not possible to establish if the person concerned had an entitlement to Carer's Benefit. The claim was disallowed and the person concerned was notified on November 2023 of this decision, the reasons for it and of their right of review and appeal. It is open to the person concerned to request either or both and submit the outstanding information to support their request.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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354. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person (details supplied) can be transferred from JSA to basic supplementary welfare whilst awaiting reply from the DA section in relation to their application for disability allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51170/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment (JST) is a means-tested payment. A person may qualify for this payment if they do not live with a spouse, civil partner or cohabitant and their youngest child is between 7 and 14 years old.

The basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) provides immediate assistance for those in need who are awaiting the outcome of a claim or an appeal for a primary social welfare payment or do not qualify for payment under other State schemes.

According to the records of my Department, the person concerned is currently in receipt of a JST payment. This payment will continue while the person’s Disability Allowance claim is pending. If the person concerned wishes to switch to a basic SWA while they await the outcome of their Disability Allowance application, they should contact their local Intreo Centre to close their JST claim. Once their JST claim has been closed, the person may apply for a basic SWA by completing a SWA1 form. This form is available in all Intreo Centres and Branch Offices and can also be requested by calling the National CWS freephone line at 0818 60 70 80 or at www.eforms.gov.ie/en/forms/5.

I trust this clarifies the matter.