Ivor Callely
Question:19 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Social Welfare his views on whether the carer's allowance is seriously flawed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6972/96]
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
Ivor Callely
Question:79 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of persons who were in receipt of a carer's allowance in 1995; if his attention has been drawn to the potential of this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6975/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 79 together.
The carer's allowance is a social assistance scheme which provides an income maintenance payment to people who are providing elderly or incapacitated pensioners with full-time care and attention and whose incomes fall below certain limits.
At the end of December, 1995 a total of 7,189 people were in receipt of the allowance.
I am aware that the scheme has come in for much criticism since it was introduced in 1990 mainly due to the operation of the means test. Nonetheless, the allowance has been improved and expanded progressively over the years. For example, in 1995 the weekly disregard of £100 in respect of the earnings of the carer's spouse was increased to £150 a week and the scheme was further expanded with the inclusion of carers who look after the recipients of occupational pensions. In last January's budget, the weekly personal rate of the carer's allowance was increased by £5 which is an 8 per cent increase on the current rate.
The question of the further development of the carer's allowance, is currently being examined in conjunction with the Department of Health in the wider context of health care provision generally in the home. Any proposals arising from that review would, of course, also have to be considered in the light of available resources.