Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 September 2014
78. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an assurance that carers will not be subject to further cuts in the upcoming budget; that income supports will be protected for those in receipt of carer's allowance, carer's benefit and half rate carer's allowance in budget 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33443/14]
View answerThe Department, in line with its income support commitments under the National Carers’ Strategy published in 2012, provides a range of income supports to assist with the financial burden of caring. These include carer's allowance, carer's benefit, domiciliary care allowance and the respite care grant.
Total expenditure by the Department on carers has increased from just under €752 million in 2010 to almost €806 million in 2014. This is an increase of €53.9 million or 7.2%. The overall number of caring recipients has increased from just over 76,000 in 2010 to almost 84,000 recipients in 2014. This is an increase of 7,815 recipients or 10.3%. These increases demonstrate very clearly that, despite the need to stabilise Government finances, the welfare system continues to play a very positive role in protecting, in this instance, family carers in our society.
Other supports from the Department for carers include free travel for recipients of carer’s allowance and, if they are living with the person they are caring for, the household benefits package. The associated costs are additional to those already quoted.
The Government, in its Statement of Priorities for 2014 – 2016 published in July, committed to increasing the household benefits package by €100 in Budget 2015 partly to compensate vulnerable groups for the introduction of water charges. These groups will include those recipients of carer’s allowance who also benefit from the household benefits package.
The Government further committed to the full retention of the free travel scheme. This commitment recognises the importance of the free travel pass to people with disabilities and recipients of carer’s allowance. Since its introduction in the 1960s, the free travel scheme has been highly valued as it allows beneficiaries to participate and remain active in the community.
The appropriate rates of other welfare supports in the year ahead, including payments made to carers, will be considered by Government as part of its deliberations on the next Budget.
