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Carer's Allowance Eligibility

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 April 2014

Tuesday, 15 April 2014

Questions (316)

Robert Troy

Question:

316. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection in view of the significant saving carers make for the State, her views on the making the carer's allowance exempt from means assessment; and if she will reinstate the full respite care grant [17326/14]

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Written answers

I would like to acknowledge at the outset the valuable contribution that carers make to society. In recognition of this fact, carers receive significant income supports from my Department - among the highest rates of income support in Europe. For example, a person getting certain qualifying payments and also providing full-time care and attention to another person can keep their main social welfare payment and get a half-rate carer’s allowance as well, while carers also receive a free travel pass and if they reside with the care recipient, are eligible for the household benefits package.

I would also point out that the income disregard and means test for carers allowance is the most generous in the social welfare system. A couple under 66 with two children, earning a joint annual income of up to €35,400 can qualify for the maximum rate of carer’s allowance while a couple earning €59,300 will still qualify for the minimum rate. There are no plans to remove the means test from carers at this time.

Expenditure on carer’s payments has increased significantly in recent years. The estimated expenditure on carers in 2014 is around €806 million: €557 million on carer’s allowance, €21.5 million on carer’s benefit, €122 million on the respite care grant and €105 on domiciliary care allowance.

This grant is paid to approximately 75,000 people each year, with some 5,000 people in receipt of more than one grant as they care for more than one person, and while I am aware that the reduction in the grant in 2013 has implications for carers and their families, I am not in a position to amend the rate of respite care grant at this time.

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