Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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381. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a response will be issued by her Department to this Deputy in relation to a query regarding a household benefit claim (details supplied). [52207/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The person concerned had her entitlement to the Household Benefits Package terminated on 9th February 2016, as she stated on an application form for Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) that she had moved address. In subsequent conversations with the Community Welfare Officer in relation to this SWA application at the time, the person concerned stated that she moved from her address and was staying some distance away, but declined to give the address to which she had moved.

The person concerned has been sent Household Benefits Package application forms on numerous occasions since then, including as part of the response to the Deputy's query on 26 September, but has not submitted a new application to date. Her entitlement including the issue of backdating can only be examined when a completed application form is received.

I can confirm that, as requested in the email from the Deputy's office on Tuesday, 26th September 2023, a response issued directly to the person concerned later that same evening. The Deputy's Oireachtas email address was copied in this response. A further email was received from the Deputy's office later that evening and an email response issued on 28th September 2023, again to the Deputy's Oireachtas email address. The person concerned was also copied on this email.

The Household Benefits Package is a non-statutory scheme and, as such, decisions are not appealable. Decisions can be reviewed by a higher officer.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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382. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a recent application for carer’s allowance by a person (details supplied) in respect of their father can be reviewed given that he is in need of full-time care and attention, which they provide seven days a week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52208/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Carer's Allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment, made to persons who are providing full-time care and attention to a person who has such a disability that they require that level of care.

An increased payment can be made where full-time care is being provided to two people.

The person concerned is in receipt of CA for one care recipient since 13 April 2023.

An application for CA for a second care recipient was received on 18 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 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 24 August 2023 of this decision, the reason for it and of their right of review and appeal.

The person concerned requested a review of this decision and submitted additional evidence in support of their application.

Following this review, the decision has remained unchanged.

The person concerned was notified on 11 September 2023 of this decision, the reason for it and of their right of review and appeal. According to Department records, the person concerned has not exercised either right.

However, on foot of this parliamentary question, a further review has been initiated. If the person concerned has further evidence to support their request for a review, they should submit this evidence to the Department.

Once a decision is made, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.