Heather 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.

Once claims are in payment, the Department periodically reviews them to ensure that there is a continued entitlement. It is a condition for receipt of CA that every claimant shall furnish such certificates, documents, information, and evidence as may be required for the purposes of deciding their claim.

In this case, a means review was initiated by the Department and an information request issued to the person concerned on 14 June 2023.

The person concerned did not supply any of the requested information and, as a result, a notice to suspend their CA claim issued on 17 July 2023.

The person concerned contacted the Department to advise they would forward the requested information shortly.

Notification issued to the person concerned on 4 August 2023 to advise their claim would be suspended with effect from 9 August 2023 for failure to supply the requested information.

The person concerned subsequently provided some, but not all, of the requested information.

As a result, a further information request issued to the person concerned on 22 September 2023 and a reminder letter issued on 27 October 2023.

Following receipt of the requested information, it was determined that the matter should be referred to a local social welfare inspector (SWI) to assess the level of care being provided, assess means and confirm that all the conditions for receipt of CA are satisfied.

Following receipt of a report from the SWI, a decision has been made to re-instate the payment with effect from 9 August 2023. The person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome this week and their CA payment will issue to their bank account on 30 November 2023. Arrears owed will issue as soon as possible.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Heather 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.

I confirm that my Department received an application for DA from the person concerned on 23 June 2023. Following a review of all available information, it was determined that the weekly means of the person concerned entitled them to a reduced weekly rate of DA. As the person concerned was in receipt of a higher weekly rate of payment on Illness Benefit (IB), an option letter issued to the person concerned on 15 August 2023 to ascertain which payment they wished to receive.

Correspondence was received from the person concerned on 30 August 2023 confirming they wished to remain on IB. The DA application of the person concerned was withdrawn and a letter confirming same issued to the person concerned on 11 September 2023.

Further correspondence was received from the person concerned on 12 October 2023, requesting a review of their application. On foot of this request, a review was undertaken. In order for the Deciding Officer to establish the current means of the person concerned, further information was required. An information request issued to the person concerned on 21 November 2023 requesting information in relation to their employment and current payslips.

Once the requested information is returned, the Deciding Officer will review the claim and issue a written decision directly to the customer.

It should be noted that any person experiencing financial difficulties while awaiting a decision on a Social Welfare application can apply to the Community Welfare Officer based in their local Intreo office for the means-tested Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA).

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.