Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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454. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection how often carer's allowance is reviewed; the criteria upon which it is reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16001/24]

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.

In order to qualify, applicants must show that they are habitually resident in the State, that their means are less than the statutory limit, that they are providing full-time care and attention and that the person being cared for requires full-time care and attention.

For entitlement to exist, these conditions must be satisfied on an on-going basis.

There is an obligation on my Department to ensure that only those who satisfy the conditions receive the payment and the Department must periodically review claims to ensure that there is continued entitlement. The reviews are carried out by Deciding Officers and decisions are made in a fair and impartial manner and in accordance with the legislative provisions for the relevant scheme.

Depending on the circumstances in each case and to make best use of resources, a review may concentrate on a specific condition of entitlement.

Furthermore, a person can at any stage request their own review of their entitlement. Normally, such a review request is only in relation to the person’s means.

The time taken to conduct a review is dependent on the type of review being carried out and the information available at the time of the request. Some reviews require more detailed investigation and interaction with the customer, and this can lengthen the timeframe of the review.

However, every effort is made to complete reviews as quickly as possible.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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455. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will review the position regarding the mandatory retirement age for participants on the job initiative scheme to ensure that those who wish to can remain on the scheme past the State pension age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16007/24]

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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As the Deputy is aware Job Initiative (JI) is an employment support scheme which was designed to provide eligible long-term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities. Recruitment onto the scheme ceased from November 2004, while existing participants have their annual contracts renewed until they reach 66 years of age.

In response to the recommendations from the Commission on Pensions, a set of new pension measures were approved by Cabinet in September 2022. The set of reforms agreed included maintaining the State pension age at 66 and introducing a new flexible pension model, which came into effect from January 2024, whereby people have the option to continue working up until the age of 70 in return for a higher pension.

The new measures are specifically for people in standard employment situations and do not apply to State supported schemes like JI, where the participant qualifies due to having been on a specific social welfare payment in advance of their placement on the scheme.

Accordingly, the position regarding funding for participants on employment support schemes, including the JI scheme, remains the same. Funding for participants will continue to be available to State Pension Age, which is currently 66.

Should participants wish to continue to work after they reach 66, it is open to them to apply for positions that are not state funded. There may also be the option to work with the JI scheme in a voluntary capacity.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.