Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Independent)
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406. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection how many disability allowance applications were disallowed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21370/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Disability Allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under the age of 66. This disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, means test and Habitual Residency conditions.

During 2023, the Department received over 28,700 new applications for DA. Over the course of the year, the Department awarded over 16,400 claims. 18,200 applications were disallowed or withdrawn during the year, some of these will have proceeded to reviews and may have subsequently been awarded.

Where an applicant's Disability Allowance claim is initially disallowed based on medical suitability, they have the option to request a review of this decision. This process allows the applicant to present additional medical evidence that may substantiate their claim by demonstrating the extent of their disability or illness and its impact on their ability to work.

Considering the new evidence, it is possible that the initial decision could be overturned by a deciding officer. This review process ensures that every applicant receives a fair evaluation of their circumstances, acknowledging that their health conditions may not have been fully captured at their initial application stage.

If an applicant is dissatisfied with the outcome of their review, they have the option to refer the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. Where the decision was not revised by the Department, further evidence is often provided by the appellant as the appeal process proceeds.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Independent)
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407. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection how many carer’s allowance applications were received by her Department in 2023; how many applicants were in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21371/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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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.

My Department received 22,633 applications for CA in 2023. Of those, 542 applicants were in Co. Clare.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Independent)
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408. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection how many carer’s allowance applications were disallowed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21372/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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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.

I can confirm that 10,875 CA applications were disallowed in 2023. To date in 2024, 3,384 CA applications have been disallowed.

Decisions in relation to all Social Welfare schemes are made by Deciding Officers (DOs). All DOs are required to make decisions in a fair and impartial manner and in accordance with the legislative provisions for the relevant scheme. Ongoing training and guidance is provided to ensure that the DOs apply these criteria correctly.

Where an application is disallowed, the customer is given an explanation of the basis for the decision in writing. Customers are also advised of their right to have the decision reviewed where further information has become available and / or to appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.