Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 September 2020
503. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on a matter in regard to a person (details supplied) relating to carer’s benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24698/20]
View answerCarer's benefit (CARB) is a payment made to insured people who may be required to leave the workforce or reduce their working hours to care for a person(s) in need of full-time care and attention.
One of the conditions that must be satisfied to qualify for CARB is that a person must not work more than 18.5 hours with earnings of no more than €332.50 less statutory deductions per week.
However, a person can be considered to be providing full-time care and attention where they are engaged in employment, self-employment or on training courses for a maximum 18.5 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.
It is also a condition for receipt of a CARB that the person being cared for must have such disability that they require full-time care and attention.
My Department received an application for CARB from the person concerned on the 9 July 2019. The claim was awarded for the period 28/11/19 to 14/3/20 as applied for by the carer. No application has been received for an extension to this claim to date.
If the person in question wishes to make a further application, she should complete and return the application form (CARB1) that I have arranged to issue to her. Only on receipt of a fully completed application form can her current entitlement to CARB be determined.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
