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

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.

Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is a monthly payment for a child aged under 16 with a severe disability, who requires on-going care and attention, substantially over and above the care and attention usually required by a child of the same age.

Under Social Welfare legislation, CA for the care of a care recipient who is aged less than 16 years can only be awarded where DCA is in payment. I can confirm that an application for DCA from the person concerned was awarded on 23 January 2024 and backdated to 1 April 2023.

An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 25 September 2023.

It is a condition for receipt of Carer’s Allowance that every claimant shall furnish such certificates, documents, information, and evidence as may be required for the purposes of deciding their claim.

On 30 January 2024, a Deciding Officer requested the provision of information and documents in relation to the person’s CA application.

Once the information is received, the CA application will be processed without delay and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

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

An application for Domiciliary Care Allowance in respect of their child was received by my Department from the person concerned on 25 September 2023.

As their application (Dom Care 1) was incomplete, written information request(s) dated 2 October 2023 and 24 November 2023 were issued to the applicant.

Following receipt of all requested information and clarification from the applicant, a decision was made to award the claim. The application was backdated 6 months, effective from 1 April 2023, which is the maximum period permitted under social welfare legislation.

The person concerned was notified of the decision in writing on 23 January 2024.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.