Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 January 2022
884. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will examine the system in which persons in receipt of carers allowance are unable to avail of enhanced illness benefit whilst out of work with Covid-19 yet out-of-work persons can claim the pandemic unemployment payment whilst also claiming carer’s allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63261/21]
View answerCarer’s Allowance acts as an income support for those who cannot earn adequate income in the open labour market due to their caring responsibilities. The person being cared for must require full-time care and attention because of age, disability or illness (including mental illness). Expenditure on Carer's Allowance amounted to €926 million in 2020. As outlined in Budget 2022, the rate of Carers Allowance and additional payments for qualified adults and children increased this month, while the capital and earnings disregard will increase from June 2022.
An enhanced rate of Illness Benefit was introduced in March 2020 on a temporary basis in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. It is paid at a rate of €350 per week for a maximum of two weeks for those certified as a probable risk and for up to ten weeks for those diagnosed with the illness.
If a person’s social welfare payment, including Carer’s Allowance, is less than the rate of the enhanced Illness Benefit, they can apply for a top up payment from the Illness Benefit section, subject to meeting the eligibility and medical criteria for the enhanced payment.
The Deputy will be aware that in general, working age payments including jobseeker’s payments are not payable with other weekly social welfare payments. However, given the unprecedented circumstances of Covid-19, provision was made for the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) to be paid with certain other specified social welfare payments, including Carer's payments.
People on Carer’s Allowance who obtained permission to work from the Department and lose their job due to the pandemic can keep their Carer’s Allowance and get the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment. Similarly, people who become carers while getting PUP can keep their PUP and apply for Carer’s Allowance.
In recognition of the impact of the latest public health restrictions on workers in sectors such as hospitality and the night-time economy, the PUP scheme, which was closed from 8th July, was reopened. Any person who loses their employment as a result of the new restrictions from 7th December may apply for the payment.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
