Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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122. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if and when a carer's allowance may be made payable in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39595/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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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.

To date, the Department has not received an application for Carer's Allowance from the person concerned.

It is open to the person concerned to apply for Carer's Allowance by completing a CR1 application form. An application form has been forwarded by post to the address of the person concerned.

The person will need to complete all the relevant sections and return the completed form to the address below. A checklist is also included in the form which should be used to review the application before submitting.

The address of the Carer's Allowance section is:

Carer's Allowance Section, Ballinalee Road, Longford, Co Longford, N39 E4E0.

A return envelope has been included for convenience.

In considering applications for Carer's Allowance, evidence must be provided in respect of the care recipient’s medical condition, the care needs of the care recipient and the provision of care conditions by the carer, the carer's means and habitual residency conditionality. Decisions on eligibility and entitlement can only be established following the receipt of a completed application form.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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123. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when jobseeker's allowance or other appropriate allowance might be restored in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39597/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Jobseeker’s Allowance (JA) is a means-tested payment made to people who are unemployed and who do not qualify for Jobseeker’s Benefit (JB) or who choose to apply for JA instead of JB. A means test is an assessment of all of the applicant’s household income, savings, shares, investments, or property that they own, apart from their own home. A means test will also include any income that their spouse, civil partner or cohabitant has.

According to the records of my department, the person’s JA claim was disallowed as they failed to provide details of all income that their family is receiving. The person concerned has appealed the decision to disallow their claim. This decision was reviewed and upheld by a Deciding Officer and the file has been sent to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office. Whilst waiting on the outcome of the appeal, the person concerned can apply for a basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA).

The SWA scheme is the safety net within the overall social welfare system which helps eligible people in the State, whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependents. Supports provided under the SWA scheme can consist of a basic weekly payment, a weekly or monthly supplement in respect of certain expenses, as well as single Additional Needs Payments (ANPs).

The basic SWA provides immediate assistance for those in need who are awaiting the outcome of a claim or an appeal for a primary social welfare payment or do not qualify for payment under other State schemes. SWA payments are means tested and made at the discretion of the Community Welfare Officers administering the scheme, considering the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case.

If the person concerned is experiencing financial difficulties, pending the outcome of their appeal, they can apply for assistance by completing a SWA1 form and submitting all relevant information in support of their claim. This form is available in all Intreo Centres and Branch Offices and can also be requested by calling the National Community Welfare Service freephone line at 0818 60 70 80 or at www.eforms.gov.ie/en/forms/5. On receipt of a completed application form and supporting documentation, the person’s claim will be assessed, and they will be advised of the outcome in writing.

Information on all schemes and payments administered by my Department can be found at www.gov.ie.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.