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

185. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the basis on which payment has been refused in respect of carer’s allowance in respect of a person (details supplied); if her case can be fully and independently examined without reference to previous decisions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20123/24]

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

Carer's Allowance 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.

On 13 June 2023, the person concerned was notified that they had no entitlement to Carer's Allowance. As the person had failed to supply such certificates, documents, information, or evidence that was requested, it was not possible for the Social Welfare Inspector to determine if all the necessary conditions for receipt of the allowance were being met. The person concerned was notified of their right to review/appeal and they appealed this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO).

The SWAO notified the person concerned by way of a letter dated 22 April 2024 that their appeal was disallowed.

A decision of an Appeals Officer (AO) may be revised by an AO in the light of new facts or new evidence brought to attention or if there has been a relevant change of circumstances since the decision was given.

A decision of an AO may also be revised by the Chief Appeals Officer if it appears to them that the decision was erroneous by reason of a mistake as to the facts or the law.

In either case, the person concerned should submit a written statement of the grounds on which a review of the decision is sought and include any new evidence that was not previously considered.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

186. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a review of the entitlements of a person (details supplied) could be reviewed. [19952/24]

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

The fuel allowance is subject to a household composition requirement where everyone who resides in the house is aged 70 or over or, if under the age of 70, in receipt of a qualifying payment from this Department, or an equivalent social security payment from a country covered by EU Regulations or a country with which Ireland has a Bilateral Social Security Agreement, or Revenue Job Assist. The household composition criteria do not apply:

• for applicants who are renting a room under prescribed conditions within the property for which the rental income is disregarded. This allows for a current limit of up to €269.23 per week in respect of income from renting a room in their own home to be disregarded.
• where a person has been provided with accommodation in the applicant’s own home, for whom the applicant is receiving payments under the accommodation recognition payment scheme.

Entitlement to the Fuel Allowance for the person concerned was reviewed in January 2024. As the person concerned was residing with a friend who was not in receipt of a qualifying payment and did not meet the household criteria, they were no longer entitled to the Fuel Allowance with effect from 28 March 2024. Entitlement to the living alone increase also ceased with effect from 18 April 2024.

I have arranged for a review of the fuel allowance and the increase for living alone. On completion of the review, the person concerned will be notified of the outcome.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.