asked the Minister for Social Welfare if it is his intention to introduce a scheme whereby members of a family who stay at home to look after elderly or ill parents will be compensated or reimbursed for this work; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Care of Parents.
255.
The introduction of such a scheme is not contemplated at present. Provision already exists for increasing the rates of certain long-term social welfare payments where the recipient is incapaciated and as a result requires full-time care and attention from a relative. The amount of the increase, which may be given in respect of attendance by a son or daughter or another prescribed relative, is now £11.75 a week. Such an increase, known as a prescribed relative's allowance, may be given with blind person's pension or, where the recipient has attained age 66, old age or retirement pension, widow's pension, invalidity pension, deserted wife's benefit or allowance or prisoner's wife's allowance. Social insurance contributions may be credited to a prescribed relative for whom an allowance has been paid if he had ceased insurable employment in order to provide the necessary attendance. Continuity of his insurance record would thus be preserved.