Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 October 2004
296 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if, in the context of the estimates currently under consideration, he will make provision to extend the carers allowance to a wider group of persons, in view of the fact that there are vastly many more carers than those currently in receipt of a payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23532/04]
View answerThe carer's allowance is a social assistance payment which provides income support to people who are providing certain elderly or incapacitated persons with full time care and attention and whose incomes fall below a certain limit.
There are currently 22,300 persons in receipt of the allowance, which is some 55% of those stated to be caring full-time in the census of 2003. The cost of the payment in 2004 is estimated to be €208.3 million.
Supporting carers in our society has been a priority of the Government since 1997. Over that period, weekly payment rates to carers have been greatly increased, qualifying conditions for carer's allowance have been significantly eased, coverage of the scheme has been extended and new schemes such as carer's benefit and the respite care grant have been introduced. Any further improvements to the scheme which involve additional expenditure will be considered in a budgetary context.
297 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the plans he has to restore or reinstate the various social welfare payments withdrawn in budget 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23533/04]
View answer298 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he has evaluated the hardship caused arising from social welfare cuts introduced in budget 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23534/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 297 and 298 together.
The Estimates for the Department of Social and Family Affairs announced last November, included a number of provisions to better target resources within the social welfare code. As my predecessor previously indicated to the House, the implementation of all of the Estimates measures has been kept under review and there are no plans to change any of the measures currently in place.
These measures produced significant savings which, in turn, freed up resources towards a substantial budget 2004 package of €630 million. This enabled the provision of increases well ahead of inflation for all social welfare recipients of weekly payments as well as significant improvements in social welfare provisions generally.
299 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of carers allowances that have been curtailed, reduced or refused in 2004 arising from budgetary cuts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23535/04]
View answerThere are currently 22,300 persons in receipt of carers allowance. There have been no budgetary cuts relating to the scheme. The provision of support to carers has been a priority objective of this Government. The position of carers has been significantly enhanced each year through improvements to the scheme and this will continue to be a priority. For example, budget 2004 increased income disregards for a single person to €250 and for a married couple to €500. Additionally, increases to the respite care grant were made.
Payment has been discontinued in some cases and refused in others for a variety of reasons in the course of the ongoing administration of the scheme. There is a review mechanism in all of my Department's schemes to ensure that entitlement conditions in individual cases continue to be satisfied. This is achieved through a process of selective and periodic review of appropriate cases.
According to departmental records thus far this year 1,523 persons were disallowed carers allowance. This includes cases where appeals or re-applications may currently be in progress. My Department has received 5,655 new applications for the allowance up to 24 September this year; 5,231 have been determined of which 2,021 were refused payment as they did not satisfy the eligibility criteria.
In all such review cases resulting in disallowance or refusal, the persons concerned are informed of the decision and the reasons for it. They were also advised of their right of appeal to the social welfare appeals office. 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.
