Skip to main content
Normal View

Social Welfare Benefits

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 April 2012

Wednesday, 18 April 2012

Questions (531, 532, 533)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

539 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons availing of the carer’s allowance on a full time care basis and on a shared care basis and the total costs of each of these payments for 2009, 2010 and 2011. [18165/12]

View answer

Pearse Doherty

Question:

540 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applicants for carer’s allowance under the full time and shared care basis respectively in 2009, 2010 and 2011. [18166/12]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 539 and 540 together.

The information requested in respect of carer's allowance applications is contained in the table:

Cost

Year

€000

Numbers in payment

2009

502,469

48,223

2010

501,789

50,577

2011

503,738 (prov outturn)

51,666

In 2011, there were almost 52,000 persons in receipt of carer's allowance from my Department. Approx. 22,000 of these were getting half-rate carers allowance in addition to another social welfare payment. However, all the recipients are providing full-time care as required.

In addition, there are circa 27 carers who provide full time care and attention during holiday periods. This may range from a week or two during Easter or Christmas or periods during the Summer holidays. There are circa 30 recipients who provide shared caring on an on-going basis. Under legislation the carer must provide this care for a complete week, i.e. Monday to Sunday. A carer may share the caring duties with another individual on a week on week off basis or a carer may provide care on alternate weeks with the care recipient attending a residential institution every other week.

Each carer will share the carer's allowance income support payment and the annual respite care grant.

Pearse Doherty

Question:

541 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who have had the carer’s allowance withdrawn in 2009, 2010 and 2011 as a result of the person they care for going into residential care for four days per week or more. [18167/12]

View answer

The above information is not available. Once the carer is no longer providing full-time care the payment is withdrawn. There is no breakdown available in respect of the specific reason(s) for these withdrawn claims.

Top
Share