Thomas P. Broughan
Question:361 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the cost of abolishing the means test for carer's allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13820/01]
Written Answers - Carer's Allowance.
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:362 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the number of carers who would benefit from the allowance if the cost threshold for the means test for carer's allowance was increased to the level of the average industrial wage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13821/01]
It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 361 and 362 together.
The carer's allowance is a means tested payment for carers on low income who look after people in need of full-time care and attention.
In Budget 2001, in addition to the substantial rate increases of £8 for carers aged under 66 and £10 for carers aged over 66, I also announced a number of other measures to support carers. In particular, I made provision for a substantial increase from April 2001 in the income disregards in the carer's allowance means test from £75 to £125 for a single person and from £150 to £250 for a couple. This will enable more than 5,000 new carers to qualify for carer's allowance and almost 3,000 existing carers to receive an increased payment.
The effect of this increase will ensure that a couple with two children, earning a joint income in the region of £15,100, will qualify for the maximum rate of carer's allowance while a couple in receipt of £25,100 will qualify for the minimum carer's allowance, plus the free schemes and respite care grant.
As I announced in my budget speech, I envisaged moving towards what I see as the optimum situation, whereby all carers, whose joint family income is at average industrial earnings, will qualify for carer's allowance at the maximum rate.
According to the latest figures available from the Central Statistics Office, average industrial earnings in September 2000 were almost £350 per week. The number of carers to benefit from increasing the disregard to this level is not currently available but my officials will forward the information to the Deputy shortly.
The means test applied to the carer's allowance is one of the more flexible tests in terms of the assessment of household incomes and the measures that I have introduced further enhance the qualification criteria for this scheme.
In view of the many supports required by carers, particularly in the community care and respite care areas, I do not consider that abolition of the means test, at a cost in the region of £180 million to be the best way to support carers or the best use of resources.
The development of the range of supports for carers will continue to be a priority for this Government and, building on the foundations now in place, we will continue to develop the types of services which recognise the value of the caring ethos and which provide real support and practical assistance to people who devote their time to improving the quality of life for others. The question of further improvements to the carer's allowance and for carers generally will be considered in a budgetary context, taking account of our key priorities in the care area, as set out in the review of our action programme.
Michael Ring
Question:363 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be approved a carer's allowance. [13825/01]
The person concerned applied for carer's allowance on 20 March 2001. His application has been referred to an investigative officer of my Department for a means assessment and to confirm that the conditions for receipt of carers allowance are fulfilled. His entitlement will be further examined in light of the investigative officer's report. Under social welfare legislation decisions in relation to claims must be made by deciding officers and appeals officers. These officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in regard to making such decisions.
Michael Ring
Question:364 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo who formerly lived alone, who is on oxygen 24 hours a day and who suffers from severe health problems has been determined as being not so invalided or disabled as to require full-time care by a carer. [13827/01]
The person concerned applied for carer's allowance on 28 February 2001. The medical details submitted in the application were insufficient to determine whether the person being cared for required full-time care attention. Additional medical evidence was therefore requested and received by my Department on 22 April 2001. Full-time care and attention in this context implies continuous supervision and frequent assistance in connection with normal personal needs, or continuous supervision to avoid danger to oneself. My Department's chief medical adviser has examined all the evidence provided, and he has expressed the opinion that the care recipient is not so disabled as to require full-time care and attention as prescribed. The application was accordingly refused.
The person concerned was notified of this decision and of her right to appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. To date no appeal has been lodged. Under social welfare legislation decisions in relation to claims must be made by deciding officers and appeals officers. These officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in regard to making such decisions.