Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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280. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he will review correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36844/25]

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.

Means are any income belonging to the carer and their spouse / civil partner / cohabitant, property (except their own home) or an asset that could bring in money or provide them with an income, for example occupational pensions, or pensions or benefits from another country.

I can confirm that my Department received an application for CA from the person concerned on 7 October 2024. The claim was disallowed as the means of the person exceeded the statutory limit.

The person concerned was notified of this decision on 6 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 request to appeal this decision was lodged with the Department and forwarded to the SWAO on 29 January 2025. The appeal was disallowed and the original decision was upheld. The person concerned was notified of this decision on 27 May 2025.

A further review of the original decision was initiated of foot of correspondence received on 30 June 2025. Following this review, and due to the increase in weekly income disregards for CA effective from 3 July 2025, CA has been awarded to the person concerned from that date. The person concerned was notified of this decision on 1 July 2025.

The first payment will issue to the nominated post office of the person concerned on 10 July 2025.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.