Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

451. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a late illness benefit application will be accepted from a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6541/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My department received a claim for Illness Benefit from the person concerned on 18th October 2023. They were making a claim for a period from 26th June 2023 to 30th June 2023. They did not provide medical evidence to support their claim and, as such, their claim was withdrawn.

The person concerned submitted a medical certificate from their GP on 17th January 2024. Upon review, their claim has been awarded. The first three days of Illness Benefit are known as "waiting days" and are unpaid. Therefore, they are due payment for one day totaling €36.67 which was issued to them on 8th February 2023.

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

452. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the payment of carers allowance and arrears due will be made immediately in the case of a person (details supplied). [6548/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Carer'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.

It is a condition for receipt of CA that the person concerned must be providing full-time care and attention and it is a further condition that the person being cared for must require full-time care and attention.

I confirm that CA is in payment for the person concerned since 5 August 1999.

Once claims are in payment, my Department undertakes periodic reviews to ensure that there is continued entitlement to payment.

As part of a review of the entitlement to CA of the person concerned, a request for information issued on 25 April 2023.

A letter issued to the person concerned on 9 June 2023 advising that their payment may be reconsidered if information requested on 25 April 2023 was not provided to Department within 10 days. The person was also offered an opportunity to request an extension of time if needed to gather evidence.

A request for further information issued on 18 July 2023.

It is a condition for receipt of CA that every claimant furnish such certificates, documents, information, and evidence as may be required for the purposes of deciding the claim.

The person concerned failed to provide the information that was required to determine if their means exceeded the statutory limit allowed for receipt of CA. Consequently, it was decided that the person concerned was not entitled to CA.

A letter issued on 30 August 2023, where the person concerned was notified that the claim would be terminated from 13 September 2023 as they did not provide the documents requested on 18 July 2023. The person concerned was informed of the right to review/appeal.

On 8 September 2023, the person concerned submitted some but not all of the requested information. The case was reconsidered and the decision remained unchanged. On 21 September 2023, the person concerned was notified of this decision, the reasons for it and of the right to review/appeal.

A request for appeal was received and sent to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) on 30 November 2023 and is currently awaiting decision.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

453. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection with regard to child benefit for children over 16 years who are in full-time education, if she is aware of child benefit payment being suspended whilst a child is not in school and resuming in September at the start of the school year; if consideration has been given to addressing this anomaly to ensure consistency for families throughout the year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6549/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Child Benefit is a universal monthly payment made to families with children up to the age of 16 years. The payment is currently paid in respect of children until their eighteenth birthday who are in full-time education or who have a disability.

Where Child Benefit is in payment, my Department issues "continuing education certificates" in advance of the child's sixteenth birthday. This is a control measure to ensure continued entitlement for all families. Where the school certifies that the child will remain in full time education, payment of Child Benefit continues for the summer months, there is no suspension.

Where the school has not certified continuing education, the Child Benefit payment will be temporarily suspended and the claimant will be advised to confirm continuing education in the Autumn. During the summer, my Department issues letters each of the families affected, which must be completed by the schools to certify the children who have returned to education.

At this point the Child Benefit payment will be reinstated, and payment for the months suspended during the summer will be issued as arrears.

Budget 2024 provides for the extension of Child Benefit to 18-year-olds in full-time education. This was one of my key priorities as part of Budget 2024. Work on introducing this change is ongoing. I believe the extension of Child Benefit to 18-year-olds in full-time education is a long-term change for the better and will support families across Ireland into the future.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.