Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 February 2024
304. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if the period a person can receive carer's benefit will be increased from 104 to 156 weeks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8686/24]
View answerThe Government acknowledges the valuable role that family carers play and is fully committed to supporting carers in that role. This commitment is recognised in both the Programme for Government and the National Carers’ Strategy. The main income supports to carers provided by my department are Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance and the Carer’s Support Grant. Spending on these payments is expected to amount to over €1.7 billion this year.
Carer's leave allows employees to leave their employment temporarily to provide full-time care for someone in need of full-time care and attention. A person is entitled to take carer’s leave of at least 13 weeks, up to a maximum of 104 weeks. Responsibility for the carer's leave is a matter for the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
Carer's Benefit is a payment made to insured people who leave the workforce to care for someone in need of full-time care and attention. A person may be eligible for Carer's Benefit if they have sufficient PRSI contributions. Projected expenditure on Carer’s Benefit in 2024 is estimated at €57.9 million.
In line with the statutory provisions regarding carer's leave, Carer’s Benefit is payable for a maximum period of 104 weeks for each person being cared for. It can be taken in one block or in separate periods as long as the combined total does not exceed 104 weeks. As the payment is aligned with the period for carer's leave, any proposals for change would first have to be considered by the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
It should be noted that not all those claiming Carer’s Benefit opt to remain in payment for the full 104 weeks. The average total number of weeks used by recipients per year from 2020 to 2023 was 71 weeks.
Where care is provided beyond the period of entitlement to Carer’s Benefit, the means tested Carer’s Allowance is available for those who are in need of income support.
I believe that these arrangements ensure an efficient use of public funds while assisting those who need to take time out for caring and are in need of an income support.
I trust that this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
