Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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460.To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the current situation regarding a carer’s allowance application by a person in County Cork (details supplied); if her Department will acknowledge that the recipient responded to Department correspondence on 26 April 2023 and 14 October 2023 in respect of a review of this payment; if her Department will clarify the reason this payment was suspended when under review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25068/24]

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.

Once claims are in payment, the Department periodically reviews them to ensure that there is continued entitlement.

On 21 February 2023, a means review letter issued to the person concerned. Means are any income belonging to the carer and their spouse / civil partner / cohabitant, property (except their own home) or an asset that could bring in money or provide them with an income, for example occupational pensions, or pensions or benefits from another country.

It is a condition for receipt of CA that every claimant shall furnish such certificates, documents, information and evidence as may be required for the purposes of deciding the claim and attends at such office or place as an officer may request.

As the person concerned failed to supply the documents requested in the letter dated 21 February, 2023, a reminder letter issued on 11 April, 2023. This letter advised that they should contact the Department if they required additional time to submit the requested information.

The person concerned failed to provide documents pertaining to their means review and their CA was stopped with effect from 3 May 2023. The person concerned was notified on 19 April 2023 of this decision, the reason for it and of their right of review and appeal.

The person concerned requested a review of this decision and submitted additional evidence in support of their review. Following this and subsequent reviews, the decision remained unchanged.

Correspondence issued to the person concerned on 06 June 2024 advising that they continued to have no entitlement to CA as their means exceed the statutory limit. The person concerned was notified of this decision, the reason for it and of their right of review and appeal.

The person concern submitted a new application in respect of a second care recipient on 28 March 2024. An information request issued to the person concerned on 10 April 2024. The person failed to provide the requested information and therefore their application was disallowed.

The person concerned was notified on 22 May 2024 of this decision, the reason for it and of their right of review and appeal.

Further documents were received on 27 May 2024 and a review was initiated. Correspondence issued to the person concerned on 06 June 2024 advising that they continued to have no entitlement to CA as their means exceed the statutory limit. The person concerned was notified of this decision, the reason for it and of their right of review and appeal.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.