Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 April 2021
1135. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person is on a certain rate of carers allowance designed to allow them to work 18 hours, if the allowance can be increased due to a lack of working time due to Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19019/21]
View answerThe main income supports to carers provided by my Department are Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance and the Carer’s Support Grant. At the end of February, there were 89,274 people in receipt of Carer's Allowance. The estimated expenditure on Carer’s Allowance in 2021 is approximately €953 million. Combined spending on all these payments to carers in 2021 is almost €1.5 billion.
Carer's Allowance acts as an income support for those who cannot earn adequate income in the open labour market due to their caring responsibilities. This allowance is part of the system of social assistance supports that provide payments based on an income need. The two principal conditions for receipt of Carer’s Allowance are that full time care and attention is required and being provided, and that the means test which applies is satisfied.
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. Just as in the case of other income support payments, Carer's Allowance is not intended to be a compensatory payment for the full value of earnings foregone and nor is it a payment by the State in recognition of caring services rendered.
As with all income supports provided by my Department, the recipient is obliged to inform the Department of any change in circumstances that may affect their entitlement. In the event of a change to a Carer’s Allowance recipient’s financial status due, for example to a reduction in hours of employment and subsequent loss of income, they should contact the relevant section in the Department for a review and reassessment of their means.
In responding to COVID-19, the Department has made special temporary provisions for those who have lost their jobs as a result of the pandemic. A carer whose work ceases as a result of COVID-19 and whose situation qualifies them for the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) will get the payment along with their current carer income support, whether Carer’s Allowance or Carer’s Benefit.
The Carer’s Support Grant is a payment for carers throughout the State and is paid in June each year, not just to people in receipt of a carer’s payment but also to other carers who may not be dependent on State income supports. The grant is paid in respect of each person being cared for. In recognition of the vital role that carers provide in our society, the Carers Support Grant will increase by €150 in June. The new rate will be €1,850 – the highest ever rate at which it will have been paid since its introduction. The estimated cost of the Carer's Support Grant is over €265 million in 2021.
Finally, I can assure the Deputy that I am very aware of the commitment of family carers and the key role they play in society and the particular challenges they face in light of Covid-19 and I will continue to keep the range of supports available to carers under review. However, any improvements or additions to these supports can only be considered in a budgetary context and in the light of available financial resources.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
