Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
Ivor Callely
Question:
12
Mr. Callely
asked the
Minister for Social Welfare
the inadequacies and potential of the carer's allowance that have been brought to his attention; if so, if he will give a breakdown of such issues that have been drawn to his attention; the considerations, if any, he has given to the issues raised; the costs implications, if any, arising in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[13035/96]
Máire Geoghegan-Quinn
Question:
22
Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn
asked the
Minister for Social Welfare
the proposals, if any, he has in relation to the payment of carers.
[11757/96]
Ivor Callely
Question:
98
Mr. Callely
asked the
Minister for Social Welfare
whether he has been requested to have a cost benefit study commissioned from the ESRI in respect of the possible public savings in hospital and nursing home care that would accrue from an improvement in the means test for the carer's allowance for those persons looking after elderly people at home; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[13126/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 12, 22 and 98 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 or certain disabled persons with full-time care and attention and whose incomes fall below certain limits. I share with the rest of the community a deep appreciation of the vital role played by people who devote their lives to the care of others. This role, in itself, is an indicator of the potential of the scheme and has been highlighted on a number of occasions by interested organisations, notably the Carer's Association.
At the end of April 1996, a total of 7,587 people were in receipt of the carer's allowance at a cost this year of some £27 million.
I am aware that the scheme has come in for some 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 improved with the inclusion of carers who look after the recipients of occupational pensions. Last week, the weekly personal rate of the carer's allowance was increased by £5 to £67.50 which is an 8 per cent increase on last year's rate.
In addition, I also announced last week the introduction of new regulations which change the basis of assessment of means of carers for the purpose of determining entitlement to rent and mortgage interest supplements under the supplementary welfare allowance. As a result of these changes, carers who are receiving rent or mortgage interest supplements from the health boards stand to benefit by as much as £29 per week. The new regulations also mean that some applicants who previously failed to qualify on the basis of their means will now be in a position to qualify for the allowance.
I am not aware of any request made to me to commission the ESRI to undertake a cost benefit study on the potential savings on institutional care that would accrue from an improvement of the means test for the allowance. I would point out, however, that the further development of the carer's allowance is currently being examined in the context of a review of the allowance which is being carried out by my Department in conjunction with the Department of Health having regard to general health care provision in the home for elderly and disabled people requiring care. In this regard, all aspects of the current operation of the carer's allowance are being considered in the light of our experience to date. Any proposals arising from the review would, of course, have to be considered in the light of available resources.
