Dermot Ahern
Ceist:221 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Social Welfare the plans, if any, he has to extend the eligibility criteria in connection with the carer's allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5455/96]
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
The carer's allowance is a social assistance scheme which provides an income maintenance payment to people who are providing elderly or incapacitated pensioners with full-time care and attention and whose incomes fall below certain limits.
Since it was introduced in 1990, the allowance has been improved and expanded progressively over the years. For example, in 1995 the weekly disregard of £100 in respect of the earnings of the carer's spouse was increased to £150 a week and the scheme was further expanded with the inclusion of carers who look after the recipients of occupational pensions. In last January's budget, the weekly personal rate of the carer's allowance was increased by £5 which is an 8 per cent increase on the current rate.
The question of further development of the carer's allowance, including the extension of the eligibility criteria, is currently being examined in conjunction with the Department of Health in the wider context of health care provision generally in the home. Any proposals arising from that review would, of course, also have been considered in the light of available resources.