Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 September 2024
62. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection if documentation can be located and a decision be made on an application for domiciliary care allowance (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37972/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with other Social Protection schemes, Carer's Allowance, including any related or underlying payment such as Carer's Support Grant or Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA), is subject to review to ensure that all qualifying conditions for receipt of payment(s) continue to be met.
The Carer's Allowance (CA) claim for the person concerned was under review by my Department. Further to that review, a Deciding Officer wrote to the person on 5 March 2024 to advise that their underlying DCA claim in respect of their child was also under review. Further to the above communication, a Deciding Officer decided as per review decision dated 26 March 2024, that the person concerned was not entitled to DCA payment, effective from 29 February 2024, on the grounds that it could not be determined if they continued to satisfy the eligibility conditions for receipt of their DCA payment. The claimant had failed to provide information that had been requested by a departmental official on 14 February 2024, in relation to a review of their claim(s).
I can confirm that my Department subsequently received correspondence including documentation from the person concerned and that this correspondence was received in my Department's CA scheme area on 20 May 2024.
Further to receipt of the above correspondence, a review of the decision on the CA claim was undertaken by a Deciding Officer, as per decision dated 5 June 2024 and the person concerned was notified of that further decision in writing on 5 June 2024. This review resulted in no change to the original decision .
On the 9 September 2024, correspondence was received from the person concerned regarding the status of their DCA claim/payment. I can confirm that further to this correspondence, a review of the claimant's DCA claim has now been undertaken. Following that review, a Deciding Officer decided as per decision dated 19 September 2024 to reinstate their DCA payment with effect from 1 March 2024 and the person concerned was notified of that review decision in writing on 19 September 2024.
The CA claim is still with the Appeals office for an Appeals officer decision.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
