Carer's allowance 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.
As is the case with most other means-tested social welfare payments, Carer’s Allowance is not payable on an extended basis to or in respect of persons outside the State. However, legislative provisions are contained in Article 217 (h)(i) and (ii) of Chapter 4 of Part 3 of the Social Welfare (Consolidated Claims, Payments and Control) Regulations 2007 (as amended) which provide for the payment of Carer’s Allowance when a person leaves the State on a temporary basis.
Carer's Allowance may be paid while the Carer is outside the State if it is for the specific purpose of accompanying the person being cared for while they are receiving treatment for a disability that commenced before they left the State, for which a maximum of 13 weeks can be paid. A Carer may also be absent from the state while on holiday for a maximum of 3 weeks each year and continue to receive payment.
Before going abroad, the Carer is obliged to notify this department of that fact. Failure to do so can result in the loss of entitlement.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
