Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

388. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason for the delayed decision on a disability allowance in the case of a person (details supplied).; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4237/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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 June 2023 notifying a change of circumstances and requesting a review of their entitlement to DA. This person's previous means review had been carried out a few weeks earlier, on 24 May 2023. At that time, they were assessed with weekly means of €181.62, resulting in a DA payment rate of €45.00.

Further information was requested on 19 September 2023 and, following a review of the information supplied, a further information request was issued by the DA section in December 2023.

Her DA remained in payment throughout this period and the person concerned was also in receipt of a top up from Supplementary Welfare Allowance from 21 June 2023.

Following a review, based on the information available to the Department, it was found that the person's means had decreased with effect from 14 June 2023.

A letter notifying the person of this decision issued on 25 January 2024. 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.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

389. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an application for a domiciliary care allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4272/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is a monthly allowance payable to a parent/guardian in respect of a child aged under 16 who has a severe disability requiring continual or continuous care and attention substantially in excess of the care and attention normally required by a child of the same age and where the level of that disability is such that the child is likely to require this level of care and attention for at least 12 consecutive months.

According to my Department's records, an application for DCA has not been received from the person concerned to date.

My Department has issued a DCA Application form (Dom Care 1) by post to the person concerned. On receipt of the completed application, it will be processed as quickly as possible.

DCA application forms are also available to download online at gov.ie - Domiciliary Care Allowance Application Form (Dom Care 1) (www.gov.ie) or can be requested at any Intreo Centre, Social Welfare Branch Office or Citizen's Information Centre.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Department received an application for Disability Allowance (DA) from the person concerned on 4 January 2024.

On 22 January 2024, the person was requested to supply supporting documentation required by the deciding officer in order to make a decision on their eligibility.

On receipt of this information, a decision will be made on their DA application and the person will be notified of the outcome.

In the meantime, the person concerned may apply to the Community Welfare Service for the means tested Supplementary Welfare Allowance if they are in need of financial assistance while awaiting the outcome of their application.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.