Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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998. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to urgently address and rectify a carer’s allowance overpayment for a person (details supplied). [10818/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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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.

It is a condition for receipt of CA that the carer cannot be engaged in employment or self-employment or training/study. However, where it is shown to the satisfaction of a Deciding Officer that adequate provision has been made for the care of the care recipient, the carer may work, be self-employed or engage on a training course for a maximum of 18.5 hours per week.

The person concerned is in receipt of CA since 30 May 2019 for the care recipient concerned.

Once claims are in payment, my Department undertakes periodic reviews to ensure that there is continued entitlement to payment.

Following a review of this claim in 2022, it was established that there was no entitlement from 6 January 2022 to 13 January 2022, 3 March 2022 to 24 March 2022 and 21 April 2022 to 1 September 2022 as the person concerned was employed in excess of 18.5 hours per week.

Accordingly, an overpayment of €7,674.00 was raised against the person concerned which includes the Carer's Support Grant amount. The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 5 January 2023. They were also notified of their right to have the decision reviewed (where further information is available) or appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO).

A review was initiated on foot of correspondence received on 23 January 2023. Following this review, the outcome remained unchanged. They were notified of their right to have the decision reviewed (where further information is available) or appeal the decision to the SWAO.

A request to appeal this decision was lodged with the Department and forwarded to the SWAO on 4 July 2023.

The Appeals Officer disallowed the appeal, and the original decision was upheld. The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 29 November 2024.

Under Social Welfare legislation, the decision of an Appeals Officer is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed in the light of relevant additional evidence or new facts.

The amount currently outstanding on the debt is €3,600.90. The Longford Debt Recovery Unit can be contacted on 043-3340000 or if there are any further queries in relation to the debt.

Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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999. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person (details supplied) is entitled to illness benefit or the disability allowance following a debilitating health complication suffered while on career break from An Post. [10835/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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My Department received an application for Illness Benefit from the person concerned on 24 February 2025.

There was no medical certificate to accompany the Illness Benefit application form.

A text message was sent to the customer on the 27 February 2025 stating the claim would be processed providing a Certificate of Incapacity for Work was received by the Department within 10 days.

I can confirm that no medical certificate has been received by my Department to date.

Disability Allowance is a long-term means tested payment for people with a disability that substantially restricts their capacity to work.

The person must complete an application form for Disability Allowance if they wish to be considered for this scheme. They can request a form from their local Intreo Centre or go online at www.gov.ie and download the application form DA1.

If the person concerned is experiencing difficulties in meeting his basic financial commitments, he may contact the Community Welfare Service at his local Intreo Centre to see if he may qualify for assistance under the terms of the means-tested Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme.

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.