Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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469.To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will look into a case (details supplied) whereby a person on invalidity pension was refused a fuel allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25196/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Fuel Allowance (FA) may be payable to certain households in receipt of long term Social Welfare payments who are unable to provide for their heating needs. The allowance is subject to a means test and is paid only to those who live alone or with certain exempted people. Only one Fuel Allowance is payable per household.

An application for FA was last received from the person concerned on 14 February 2024. The application was refused on the grounds that his household is an unqualified one for FA. The information available to my Department was that the spouse of the person in question was in paid employment and is not an exempted person within the household for the purposes of the scheme.

The person referred to was notified of the decision to refuse his application on 21 February 2024. A review was requested, however, the outcome of the review was that the application was still refused as the household circumstances had not changed. The person concerned was notified of the decision on the review on 24 April 2024.

It is open to apply again for FA at any time if his household circumstances change.

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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470.To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if any financial assistance is available in the form of rent supplement in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25200/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Rent Supplement (RS) scheme administered by my Department, provides short-term income support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source.

The responsibility for the provision of rent support to those with a long-term housing need has transferred from the Department of Social Protection to the local authorities. Persons with a long-term housing need should contact their local authority where information is available regarding suitable housing supports including the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP).

According to the records of my Department, the person concerned applied for RS. It should be noted that the rent for their property is significantly above comparable rents in their area and is substantially above the maximum rent limit for a couple. A letter issued to the persons concerned seeking additional documentation in support of their application. While the requested documentation has been partly received, the following items remains outstanding:

• A letter from the Housing Authority confirming who is listed on the person’s application for social housing.
• Details of all residents living at the person’s address and proof of their income.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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471.To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if carer’s allowance will be approved for a person (details supplied). [25214/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Carer's Benefit (CARB) is a payment made to insured people who leave the workforce or reduce their working hours to care for a child or an adult in need of full-time care and attention.

To qualify, the carer must satisfy PRSI conditions; employment conditions; show that they are providing full-time care and attention; and must show that the care recipient requires full-time care and attention.

An application for CARB was received from the person concerned on the 12 May 2023. The claim was awarded for the period 27 April 2023 to 25 October 2023.

The person concerned requested an extension of this claim on the 17 October 2023 and this was awarded on the 20November 2023 for the period 26 October 2023 to 24 April 2024. The extension award letter advised the person concerned to submit up to date medical information seven weeks in advance of the 24 April 2024. Additionally, the person concerned was requested to submit confirmation of new leave dates from their employer five weeks prior to 24 April 2024.

A request for an extension was received from the person concerned on the 01 May 2024, medical information was received on the 10 and 16 May 2024 and confirmation from their employer was received on the 17 May 2024.

The claim was examined by a Deciding Officer and has been extended for the period 27 April 2024 to 23 October 2024. At the end of this period the person concerned will have used 78 weeks of their maximum 104 weeks entitlement.

The CARB payment and any arrears owing were paid via the nominated payment method to the person concerned on the 06 June 2024.

I hope this clarifies the current situation for the Deputy.