Written answers
Thursday, 18 April 2024
Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
Social Welfare Benefits
John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
233. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if carer’s allowance will be approved for a person (details supplied); if the letter of refusal issued by her Department will be reviewed as it refers to the person receiving the care as another person; and if the matter will be expedited. [17134/24]
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.
I confirm that my Department received an application for CA from the person concerned on 7 February 2023.
It is a condition for receipt of CA that the person concerned must be providing full-time care and attention and it is a further condition that the person being cared for must require full-time care and attention.
It is also a condition to provide such certificates, documents, information or evidence as may be required by an officer of the Minister in order to make a decision on an application.
The evidence submitted in support of this application was examined and the Deciding Officer decided that this evidence did not indicate that the above conditions were satisfied.
The person concerned was notified on 29 March 2023 of this decision, the reason for it and of the right of review and appeal.
Following a request for review on 04 December 2023, the decision remained unchanged and the person was notified of this decision on 29 January 2024.
The CA section is now aware that, due to a typing error, the letter dated 29 January 2024 contained the incorrect name of the person requiring care. In this regard, a letter of apology has issued to the customer.
A request to appeal this decision was lodged to the Department and forwarded to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). The file was sent to the SWAO on 26 March 2024.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office provides an independent appeals service for people who are dissatisfied with decisions made by Deciding Officers. Further information on the appeals process is available at www.gov.ie/socialwelfareappealsoffice. The SWAO can be contacted directly by phoning 0818-747434 or 01-6732800 or by emailing swappeals@welfare.ie.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
No comments