Written answers
Tuesday, 29 April 2025
Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
Social Welfare Appeals
Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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1490. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when an appeals meeting for disablement benefit will be made for a person (details supplied). [21282/25]
Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions.
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, has decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision. The person concerned has been notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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1491. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will be made in relation to a carer’s allowance review (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21295/25]
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.
An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 23 October 2024.
As part of the decision process, the application was referred for the professional opinion of a Department Medical Assessor. The claim was disallowed as the Deciding Officer, having regard to the opinion of the Medical Assessor, decided that the information supplied did not show that the care recipient required full time care.
The person concerned was notified of this decision on 12 December 2024. 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 09 January 2025.
The claim was referred to a local Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) to confirm that all the conditions for receipt of CA are satisfied. The SWI has confirmed that the claim will be finalised in the coming days. Once the SWI has reported, a decision will be made, and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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1492. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when will a decision will be made regarding a carers allowance review (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21299/25]
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.
An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 23 October 2024.
As part of the decision process, the application was referred for the professional opinion of a Department Medical Assessor. The claim was disallowed as the Deciding Officer, having regard to the opinion of the Medical Assessor, decided that the information supplied did not show that the care recipient required full time care.
The person concerned was notified of this decision on 12 December 2024. 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 09 January 2025.
The claim was referred to a local Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) to confirm that all the conditions for receipt of CA are satisfied. The SWI has confirmed that the claim will be finalised in the coming days. Once the SWI has reported, a decision will be made, and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
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