Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1009. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to examine a case affecting carers, allowance entitlements for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11185/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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.

Legislation outlines that the carer must be providing full-time care and attention to the care recipient. It also outlines that the care recipient must require continual supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with normal bodily functions or continual supervision in order to avoid danger to themselves.

Once claims are in payment, my Department undertakes periodic reviews to ensure that there is continued entitlement to payment. This includes reviews to ensure that the person being cared for continues to satisfy the care requirement.

In this instance, the review was initiated by the carer themselves when they notified the Department of a change in the circumstances of the person being cared for.

In this regard, a full-time care form issued to the person concerned on 21 February 2025 and the completed form was returned to my Department on 11 March 2025. Following receipt of this information, the claim was referred to the local Social Welfare Inspector for further investigation.

Once the Social Welfare Inspector has reported, the customer will be notified directly of the outcome.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.