Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 November 2019
550. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the entitlement to carer's benefit of a person who is working five mornings per week and is essentially in part-time employment; if the full carer's benefit is payable; if it is a pro rata carer's benefit payable; the number of years carer's benefit can be paid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46350/19]
View answerCarer'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.
To qualify the carer must satisfy PRSI conditions, employment conditions, show that they are providing full-time care and attention and must show that the care recipient requires full-time care and attention.
A person on carer’s benefit can engage in employment, self-employment, training or education courses outside the home for up to 15 hours per week, provided that they can show to the satisfaction of a deciding officer that adequate care has been provided for the care recipient in their absence. The maximum amount an applicant can earn from employment/self-employment is €332.50 per week net of statutory deductions. As part of Budget 2020, the number of hours a carer can work will increase from 15 to 18.5 hours per week with effect from 6 January 2020.
A person can engage in employment for 5 mornings a week and qualify for carer’s benefit provided the above conditions are satisfied.
Carer’s benefit is not a pro-rata payment. The maximum duration of the Carer’s Benefit scheme is 2 years (104 weeks).
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
