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Carer's Benefit Eligibility

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 March 2019

Tuesday, 5 March 2019

Questions (543)

Marc MacSharry

Question:

543. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the case of a person (details supplied) in County Sligo will be reviewed; if this condition can be waived in the circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10413/19]

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Written answers

Carer's benefit (CARB) is a payment made to insured people who leave the workforce to care for a child or an adult in need of full-time care and attention. An increased payment can be made where full-time care is being provided to two people.    

Under the provisions of the legislation a person claiming CARB must be in remunerative full time employment (for a minimum of 16 hours in the week or 32 hours in the fortnight) for eight weeks out of the previous 26 week period immediately prior to the first day on which a claim is made. 

The evidence submitted in support of this application was examined and the deciding officer decided that this evidence did not indicate that this requirement was satisfied.  

There is no provision in legislation to waive this requirement, however the person concerned may wish to apply for increase for qualified adult (IQA) on her spouse's state pension contributory (SPC) and in addition carer's allowance (CA) which pays at half rate when a carer is in receipt of another social welfare payment such as IQA on SPC.  

The person concerned may also wish to apply for the carer's support grant (CSG) formerly known as the respite care grant. This annual payment is for carers, who look after a person in need of full-time care and attention and is made regardless of the carer's means, it is however subject to the same caring conditions as CA.  

If the person concerned wishes to make an application to any of the above mentioned schemes, she should complete and return the application form(s) that I have arranged to issue to them.  

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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