Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 November 2022
258. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will confirm that the €500 payment for all carers to be paid in November, as announced in budget 2023, will be made per household as opposed to per person cared for (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55938/22]
View answerThe €500 Cost of Living payment referred to by the Deputy is a lump sum payment to those carers who are eligible for the Carer’s Support Grant. Unlike the annual Carer’s Support Grant, which is paid in respect of each person being cared for, this is a single lump sum paid to the carer, irrespective of the number of persons being cared for. This payment will be made in the week commencing 21 November.
It is worth noting that in circumstances where the care recipient is in receipt of a long-term disability payment of Disability Allowance, Blind Pension or Invalidity Pension in their own right, they too will receive the €500 Cost of Living lump-sum payment in the week commencing 14 November.
The €500 Cost of Living payment is part of a range of measures put in place for carers as part of Budget 2023. Other measures announced include:
- Cost of Living Double Payment to Carers in week commencing 17 October
- Carers will also receive the Christmas Bonus Double Payment in week commencing 5 December
- €12 increase in the maximum rate of Carer’s Allowance and Carer’s Benefit with effect from January 2023 with proportionate increases for people receiving a reduced rate
- €2 increase for each Qualified Child, bringing rates to €50 for Over 12s and €42 for Under 12s from January 2023
- Half-rate Carer’s Allowance will be disregarded in the means assessment for Fuel Allowance with effect from January 2023
- Domiciliary Care Allowance will increase by €20.50 to €330 per month with effect from January 2023.
- Domiciliary Care Allowance will be available in respect of children with severe illness or disability who remain in hospital for up to six months after birth.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
