Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 7 September 2018
1378. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the policy of not allowing carer's allowance to be taken into account as earned income for the purposes of the Rebuilding Ireland home loan scheme will be reviewed on the grounds that carers are effectively working full-time caring for their family members. [36330/18]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan is not, as a general rule, available to those in receipt of unemployment or other social welfare benefits. However, where there is a primary income of a waged or salaried nature, long-term State benefit payments may be considered. State benefit payments allowable are:
- State Pension (Contributory);
- State pension (Non-Contributory);
- Widow’s/Widower’s Pension;
- Blind Pension;
- Invalidity Pension; and
- Disability Allowance.
The long-term nature of the payment must be confirmed by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. All applications are dealt with on a case-by-case basis and are referred to the relevant local authority's Credit Committee for a final decision.
As Carer's Allowance does not fall within this category of long-term payment, I have no plans to alter the conditions of the scheme in the manner outlined by the Deputy.
