Vol. 549 No. 2
121 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if arrangements will be made to change the rules whereby many worksharing arrangements in place in the public sector fail to qualify under carer's benefit rules due to the number of hours worked in these work-sharing arrangements; and if not, if he will consider the matter urgently. [6212/02]
The carer's benefit scheme is intended to support people who must leave the workforce temporarily to care for someone who is in need of full-time care and attention. The arrangements involve two separate elements. The first is a weekly income support payment which is operated and paid by this Department. This is based on PRSI contributions paid by the carer. The second is the protection of the carer's employment rights for the duration of the caring period, which is a key feature of the scheme.
In order to qualify for carer's benefit a person must be in full-time employment. This condition is satisfied if the person worked at least 19 hours per week or 38 hours per fortnight in the three months prior to applying for carer's benefit. The 19 hour per week requirement is being reviewed.
