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Social Welfare Benefits

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 May 2021

Tuesday, 18 May 2021

Questions (571)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

571. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons currently in receipt of carer’s allowance; the extent to which the numbers have fluctuated in the past five years to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26552/21]

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Written answers

Carer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that results in them requiring that level of care.

I can advise the Deputy that at the end of April 2021 there were 89,549 customers in receipt of Carer's Allowance, an increase of 27% from 70,459 customers in receipt of Carer's Allowance in 2016.

I have attached a breakdown of the number of customers in receipt of Carer's Allowance in the past five years in tabular form and the percentage increase per year.

Year (end of) 

 Total

 % Increase

 2020

 88,906

 5.8

 2019

 84,028

 5.1

 2018

 79,914

 6.2

 2017

 75,264

 6.8

 2016

 70,459

 11.8

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy. 

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