Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 October 2024
250. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of a review of refusal for carer's allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43845/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer'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.
An application for Carer's Allowance was received from the person concerned on 31 October 2023.
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 what the care recipient required full time care.
The person concerned was notified of this decision in writing on 29 November 2023. 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.
The person concerned requested a review of the decision on 11 December 2023.
The Deciding Officer reviewed all the evidence of the case and found that, 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 for the care recipient. Therefore, the application for Carer's Allowance was disallowed and the decision remained unchanged.
The person concerned was notified of this decision in writing on 27 January 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.
To date the department has received no further correspondence from the person concerned.
It is open to the person concerned to re-apply for Carer's Allowance by completing a CR1 application form. For the convenience of the person concerned, an application form has been forwarded by post to their home address.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
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.
An application for Carer's Allowance was received from the person concerned on 31 October 2023.
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 of the Medical Assessor, decided that the information supplied did not show what the care recipient required full time care.
The person concerned was notified of this decision in writing on 29 November 2023. 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.
The person concerned requested a review of the decision in a letter received on 11 December 2023.
The Deciding Officer reviewed all the evidence of the case and found that, 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 for the care recipient. Therefore, the application for Carer's Allowance was disallowed and the decision remained unchanged.
The person concerned was notified of this decision in writing on 27 January 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.
To date the department has received no further correspondence from the person concerned.
It is open to the person concerned to reapply for Carer's Allowance by completing a new CR1 application form. For their convenience an application form has been forwarded by post to the address of the person concerned.
The person will need to complete all the relevant sections and return the completed form to the following address at their earliest convenience:
Carer's Allowance Section, Ballinalee Road, Longford, Co Longford, N39 E4E0.
In considering applications for Carer's Allowance, evidence must be provided in respect of the care recipient’s medical condition, the care needs of the care recipient and the provision of care conditions by the carer, the carer's means and habitual residency conditionality. Decisions on eligibility and entitlement can only be established following the receipt of a completed application form.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
