Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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499. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection for clarification regarding a carer’s allowance application in respect of a person in County Kerry (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29968/24]

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.

An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 03 December 2021.

Once claims are in payment, the Department periodically reviews them to ensure that there is continued entitlement. In this person's case, a CA review commenced on 29 April 2024 and an information request letter issued to them on that date.

No response was received from the person concerned. As a result, a letter issued to them on 24 May 2024 advising that the CA payment would be suspended from 12 June 2024 if the requested information was not received. This letter allowed a further 7 days for a response.

No response was received so the CA payment was suspended from 12 June 2024. The person received a letter dated 5 June 2024 advising them of this but that they were being afforded the opportunity to respond within 21 days to furnish any statement or evidence regarding the matter.

As no correspondence or information was received from the person concerned within the 21 days, the CA claim was terminated with effect from 12 June 2024. A letter issued to the person concerned on 27 June 2024 to advise them of this.

To date, the Department has received no correspondence or information regarding the review.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.