Social Welfare Eligibility

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 May 2022

Wednesday, 4 May 2022

Questions (515)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

515. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1034 of 26 April 2022, if he plans to conduct across-Departmental budgetary analysis with the Department of Social Protection in relation to the maximum amount by which the household income earnings threshold for carer’s allowance could be raised which would be still be more cost effective to the State in many instances than a HSE-funded homecare package and would help address the shortage of homecare workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22072/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Means testing for social protection payments including carers allowance does not fall under the remit of the Department of Health, and it would be more appropriately addressed to the Department of Social Protection.

I would therefore suggest that the Deputy direct his enquirers to the Minister of Social Protection.