Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 May 2024
198. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will personally intervene to assist in an appeal to her Department for a domiciliary care allowance and carer’s allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) to avoid severe hardship and allow the child to be discharged from hospital and return home; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22184/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned of her Carer’s Benefit claim was registered in that office on 3 April 2024. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 20 April 2024.
The case was referred to an Appeals Officer on the 13th May 2024 and the appeal was allowed on the 14th May.
Following receipt of the appeal decision, Carer’s Benefit has now been awarded. Arrears have issued to the person’s bank account and a decision letter has issued.
As Minister for Social Protection, I am keen to assist families, like this one, who find themselves in very difficult positions when their babies have to remain in hospital after birth. For this reason, just last week, I signed legislation to extend Domiciliary Care Allowance for newborn babies who remain in hospital from 26 weeks to 18 months. This extension will impact children born on or after 1st January 2023 and, therefore, this family will be contacted shortly by my officials to put their Domiciliary Care Allowance back into payment and pay all arrears that are due on foot of the new regulations.
