Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 April 2026
418. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Social Protection if he is aware of an issue (details supplied); if he will request his officials to investigate the matter as one of urgency given the material change in circumstances and the terminal condition of the person being cared for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29501/26]
View answerCarer'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 21 October 2025.
It is a necessary condition for receipt of CA that the carer must be providing full-time care and attention to the care recipient. This is defined as requiring from another person, continual supervision, and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with normal bodily functions or continual supervision to avoid danger to him or herself and likely to require that level of care for at least twelve months. The time spent providing care each week must not be less than 35 hours per week over 5-7 days.
The application was examined, and the Deciding Officer decided that the above condition was not satisfied. Although a certain level of care was provided, the evidence submitted did not satisfy the full-time care and attention requirement as defined in the legislation.
The person concerned was notified of this decision via My Welfare on 28 November 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 request to appeal this decision was lodged with the Department and forwarded to the SWAO on 07 January 2026. The appeal was disallowed, and the original decision was upheld. The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 20 February 2026.
A request to review the Appeal Officer's decision was not accepted by the SWAO because no new facts or evidence relevant to the date of the claim was provided. The appeal officer’s decision is final and can only be reviewed in light of new evidence or facts not previously considered. The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 31 March 2026.
It is open to the person concerned to re-apply for CA by completing a new CR1 application form. For the convenience of the person concerned, an application form has been forwarded by post to their home address.
