Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 May 2023
255. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if the partner of a person is receiving half-rate carer’s allowance for their child, how the payments work if their partner is approved for carer's allowance for their parent, if they each have a child dependent on their claim. [20623/23]
View answerCarer'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 as a result they require that level of care.
The Carer's allowance (CA) payment is made up of a personal rate for the person claiming and extra amounts for any child dependents.
A full-rate increase for a child dependent is paid with Carer's Allowance if a person is parenting alone. A half-rate increase for a child is paid with Carer's Allowance, if a person is living with their spouse, civil partner or cohabitant.
In this example, if the second applicant (the partner) is successful in their claim for CA, then they can also claim the personal rate and, as they are co-habiting, they will be entitled to half rate increase for a child dependent.
If there is a specific case that you wish to have examined further, please forward the individual's details and my officials would be glad to help.
