John McGuinness
Ceist:909. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a carer’s allowance payment will be restored immediately for a person (details supplied). [33924/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMonday, 9 September 2024
Ceisteanna (909)
Freagraí scríofa
Carer's allowance 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.
I can confirm that Carer’s Allowance was in payment to the person concerned from 14 January 2010. Once claims are in payment, my Department periodically reviews them to ensure that there is continued entitlement. A review of the claim of the person concerned commenced on 14 January 2024.
Following this review, the person was notified on 7 March 2024 that they were no longer entitled to the payment from 20 March 2024 as they had failed to respond to information requests of 14 January 2024 & 22 February 2024.
Further information requests issued on the 7 May 2024 & 24 Jul 2024. Following receipt of the requested information on 12 August 2024 and following re-examination of the claim, it was decided that the person concerned had no entitlement to Carer’s Allowance for the period 1 March 2024 to 5 June 2024 as their means exceeded the statutory limit during that period.
However, based on the income and capital disregards for Carer’s Allowance applicable from June 2024, it was established that the person concerned qualified for a weekly rate of Carer’s Allowance of €75.50 from 6 June 2024. Payments have commenced in this regard.
The person concerned was notified of this decision in writing on 16 August 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.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.