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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 27 Jan 2000

Vol. 513 No. 2

Ceisteanna–Questions. Priority Questions. - Social Welfare Benefits.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

4 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the number of carers providing support for the elderly and the disabled who are unable to qualify for a carer's allowance; and his views on whether the means test should be substantially eased and other measures introduced by way of support for them. [1853/00]

The review of the carer's allowance, which was published in October 1998, noted that it is difficult to estimate the number of full-time carers. While care groups have estimated this figure to be approximately 100,000, it is not clear whether all these are full-time carers. Based on work in the review, the current figure is estimated to be about 50,000 people covering carers of older people and adults and children with disabilities. The complete abolition of the means test would cost in excess of £150 million in a full year based on these estimates.

At the end of December 1999 there were almost 14,400 carer's allowances in payment at a cost of almost £58 million. This is an increase of almost 60% in the number of carers in receipt of the allowance since the Government took office. The review of the allowance noted that it is an income support payment and not a payment for caring. It examined the means test and considered that it should be maintained as a way of targeting scarce public resources towards those who are most in need. The means test applied to the allowance is one of the more flexible tests in terms of the assessment of household income. The position and operation of the test will be kept under review.

I introduced a major package of improvements for carers in the 1999 budget at a cost of £18 mill ion, including the improvement of the means test for carer's allowance. A disregard of £75 per week is applied to the income of a single carer and a disregard of £150 per week is applied to the joint means of a married couple. I announced the introduction of a carer's benefit scheme in the recent budget. I am delighted to inform the Deputy that I secured Government approval at the Cabinet meeting in Ballaghaderreen to extend the duration of the scheme from 12 months, as announced, to 15 months to bring it in line with other schemes of this nature. It will provide financial support and allow carers to avail of a job-protected leave of absence for up to 15 months.

This new benefit will be based on a person's PRSI contributions and will come into effect in October 2000. Full details will be given in the forthcoming Social Welfare Bill. In addition, I have made provision for an increase in the amount of the annual respite care grant for qualified carers from £200 to £300. Building further on measures I introduced in the previous budgets, I also extended the free electricity allowance and free television licence schemes to all carers in receipt of a carer's allowance and to carers who are caring for recipients of a constant attendance or prescribed relatives allowance. These extensions ensure that carers will qualify for all free schemes from October. The extensive measures that I have introduced in recent budgets to benefit carers clearly indicate my commitment and that of the Government to carers.

Does the Minister accept that the main focus should be on those carers who get nothing? Does he agree that, even based on his figures, 35,000 people do not receive a cent in support from the Government? Some people say that figure could be as high as 85,000, but even using his figures the vast majority get nothing. Does he further accept that it is economically wise and socially just to provide some support for those carers? Does he agree that they are the forgotten people in our society and it is time that something was done for them? Does he further agree that the relatively modest initial pre-budget proposal which I made should be backed by him whereby the means test would be relaxed to include a further 10,000 carers and the Minister for Finance would be asked to introduce a tax allowance for other carers who do not qualify for an allowance?

The Government will stand over its record on carers and put it up for scrutiny against that of the Opposition parties when they were in office. The figures speak for themselves. There has been a 60% increase in the number receiving the carer's allowance in just two and a half years. In addition, the new carer's benefit scheme will pick up a considerable number of those who would not normally qualify for the allowance, to whom the Deputy referred. It is a PRSI-based scheme which had been sought in many discussions with me during my time in office. It is beneficial and I made changes in the disregard in the first budget. It is something which I will examine in future budgets. I have taken into account all the changes made by the Government in the last three budgets, which not only apply to my Department but also to the Department of Finance.

The Deputy referred to asking the Minister for Finance to make changes. He made major changes in the tax allowances for carers in the home in the 1999 budget. Changes were made recently in the disabled person's grants scheme and the Department of Health and Children, which has primary responsibility for care of people in the home and in institutions, has provided significant extra funding in this area since the Government took office.

The Minister's protests virtually amount to an apology. Will he focus his mind on the 35,000 carers who get nothing and not on tinkering with bits and pieces around the edges? Does he agree that, with total Opposition support, something must be done for them and it is in the interests of the country to do so? The famous move by the Minister for Finance only brought in 400 people. Is the Minister aware of that?

The Deputy referred to tinkering around the edges. I do not believe that bringing in an entirely new scheme, which I hope will bring in 6,500 extra people, is tinkering.

Time will tell.

The Minister should bring in a new social welfare budget.

I will believe it when I see it.

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