Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

191. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will be made in relation to a carer’s allowance application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15998/25]

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.

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

An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 12 November 2024.

The application was assessed by a Deciding Officer. The claim was disallowed as the Deciding Officer decided that the information supplied showed that the person concerned was working for more than the maximum hours of 18.5 hours per week.

The person concerned was notified of this decision in writing on 22 January 2025. They were also notified of their right to have the decision reviewed (where further information is available) or to appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO).

A review was initiated on foot of correspondence received on 6 February 2025.

Following this review, the person concerned was awarded CA from 14 November 2024.

The first payment will issue to the nominated bank account of the person concerned on 3 April 2025. Arrears for the period 14 November 2024 to 2 April 2025 will issue shortly.

The person concerned was notified of this decision in writing on 28 March 2025.

I hope this clarifies the position for the deputy.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

192. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to review the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16004/25]

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

Disability Allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under the age of 66. This disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, a means test and the habitual residency condition.

I can confirm that the Department received an application for DA from the person concerned on 28 January 2025.

Their initial application did not contain all the information required to determine their eligibility for DA. An information request letter was sent to the person concerned on 5 February 2025 to supply this supporting documentation. I can confirm that some of the requested information was received on 14 February 2025.

As the person concerned failed to supply all the requested information, their means could not be determined and the claim was disallowed on this basis.

Based on all the evidence supplied in support of this person’s application, their DA claim was also disallowed on the grounds that the medical qualifying condition for DA were not satisfied.

The person concerned was notified of this decision on 21 February 2025. They were advised of their entitlement to request a review and/or appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). They were also reminded about the outstanding documents required to determine their means.

Further medical evidence was received on 20 March 2025 and a review of this information was carried out. After reviewing this additional information, the original decision was upheld. The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 31 March 2025, and they were given the right to a review or an appeal.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.