Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2021
1004. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding applications for personal assistance hours; the way in which carer’s allowance is affected when the same person is claiming personal assistance hours; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15147/21]
View answerMy Department provides income supports to carers such as the Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance and the Carer’s Support Grant. Combined spending on these payments to carers in 2021 is expected to exceed €1.4 billion.
Carer’s Allowance is a payment to people on low incomes who are caring full-time for a person who needs support because of age, disability or illness (including mental illness). The person being cared for must require full-time care and attention. At the end of January, there were 89,092 recipients of Carer's Allowance. The estimated expenditure for the payment in 2021 is in the region of €953 million.
It is important to note that Carer's Allowance is an income support paid to the carer and not to the person to whom the care is given.
The two principal conditions for receipt of Carer’s Allowance are that the means test which applies is satisfied and that full-time care and attention is required and being provided.
The means test for Carer’s Allowance is one of the most generous in the social protection system. Currently, €332.50 of gross weekly income is disregarded in the calculation of means for a single person; the equivalent for someone who is married, in a civil partnership or cohabiting is €665 of combined gross weekly income.
The person being cared for is deemed to require full-time care and attention where they require from another person continual supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with normal bodily functions or continual supervision in order to avoid being a danger to themselves, and are likely to require that level of care for at least twelve months.
An applicant for Carer’s Allowance must submit evidence and all relevant information confirming that they meet the conditions outlined above.
In order to support a carer’s continued attachment to the workforce and broader social inclusion, carers may engage in some limited employment, education or training, of up to 18.5 hours per week while still being regarded as being in a position to provide full-time care.
The Personal Assistant (PA) Service is part of a range of assisted living services designed to help people with disabilities to maximise their capacity to live full and independent lives. PA services may be accessed by application to the HSE or through a referral from a public health nurse or other HSE community-based staff. I understand that the HSE determines PA resource allocation by considering the needs of the individual, compliance with prioritisation criteria, and the level of resources available.
The Personal Assistant Service is administered by the HSE and is the responsibility of the Department of Health.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
