I propose to take Questions Nos. 64, 80, 88, 349 and 361 together.
Support of carers in our society has been a priority of the Government since 1997. Payments to carers have been greatly improved in the period since, while qualifying conditions for carer's allowance have been significantly eased and coverage of the scheme has been extended and new schemes such as carer's benefit and respite grants introduced. The further development of supports for carers continues to be a priority for the Government.
Any change in provisions for carers in 2004 is a matter to be provided for in the budget. As regards the issue of payment of other social welfare payments concurrently with carer's allowance, the general rule is that only one social welfare payment is payable to an individual on the basis that the primary objective of the system is to provide an adequate level of income support to individuals and their families. Persons qualifying for two social welfare payments always receive the higher payment to which they are entitled.
Earlier this year, I launched a comprehensive study on the future financing of long-term care carried out on behalf of my Department. To make further progress in the area of policy on long-term care, my Department is preparing a consultation document which will aim to focus all interested parties on the specific issues we need to address. The production of this document is a challenging task due to the complexity of the issues involved and the need to ensure that these are communicated clearly to the various target audiences in the consultation process. These issues, which include benefit design, cost and financing, are discussed at length in the report.
I intend to have the consultation document distributed to all interested parties as early as possible in the new year, after which a consultation process on the financing of long-term care will take place. I envisage that the feedback from this process will be the starting point for meeting the commitment in Sustaining Progress on examining the strategic policy, cost and service delivery issues associated with the care of the elderly. I hope the working group to conduct this examination will be established in the first quarter of 2004.
With regard to a scheme of parental leave for the purpose of providing care, carer's benefit was introduced in October 2000. The associated Carer's Leave Act, which protects the employment rights of the carer, was introduced by my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, in July 2001. These arrangements provide financial support and allow carers to avail of job-protected leave of absence for a period of up to 15 months. Any further expansion of this type of leave for the purpose of providing care is primarily a matter for consideration by that Department.
I understand the proposed carers charter sets out carers' rights, including recognition of the role they play in society, the right to support in that role and, specifically, the right to support services from Departments. The rights provided for carers in social welfare legislation provide a solid foundation of support for them. The Government will continue to develop the type of services which provide real support and practical assistance to the people who carry out this essential service on behalf of people who need full-time care and attention and, in developing such supports, will have regard to the experience gained from the operation of services already in place, the views of public representatives and organisations working in this field and information on the arrangements operating elsewhere.