Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 September 2023
611. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason carer's allowance was terminated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39577/23]
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.
One of the qualifying conditions for CA is that the means of the person concerned must be less than the statutory limit.
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).
The person concerned was awarded Carer's Allowance from 28 May 2020.
Once claims are in payment, the Department periodically reviews them to ensure that there is continued entitlement. Following a means review in November 2020, the weekly rate of CA in this case was reduced due to an increase in household means.
On 9 February 2021, my Department received another application for CA from the person concerned in respect of a different care recipient. This application was refused on 19 March 2021 as the required information was not supplied. A review of this decision was sought and was carried out and the customer was informed by letter on 28 April 2021 that the decision remained unchanged.
Following a further means review in November 2021, it was determined that the household means of the person concerned had increased further and that there was no longer an entitlement to CA. A review of this decision was requested, and the Deciding Officer decided that the means still exceeded the statutory limit and that, consequently, there would be no change to the original decision. The person concerned was notified of this decision on 11 January 2022 and of their right to appeal.
Following another request for review on 31 May 2022, a final response issued from the Department stating that a new means assessment was carried out on 2 June 2022 when the new Budget disregard came into effect. The position remained that the household income was assessed as being in excess of the statutory limit. The person concerned was notified of this on 27 June 2022.
If the person concerned wishes to make a new application, they should complete and return an application form (CR1) to Carer's Allowance Section as soon as possible in order for the Department to determine any entitlement to CA.
Accordingly, I have arranged for an application form to issue.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
