Vol. 481 No. 5
9 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs his views on the potential in the carer's allowance payments; if he has satisfied himself that there is great potential to advance the issues relating to carers under this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16410/97]
16 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the amount by which it is intended to increase the carer's allowance in relation to the commitment given in An Action Programme for the Millennium; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16437/97]
49 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the proposals, if any, he has to correct the anomaly whereby a widow who was in receipt of a carer's allowance loses this allowance when she qualifies for the widow's pension; and the steps, if any, he will take to correct this serious anomaly. [16424/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 9, 16 and 49 together.
The carer's allowance is a social assistance scheme which provides an income maintenance payment to people who are providing elderly or incapacitated pensioners or certain persons with disabilities with full-time care and attention and whose incomes fall below certain limits. At the end of last August 9,753 people were in receipt of a carer's allowance at an estimated full year cost of £36.4 million.
Regulations preclude, with very few exceptions, the payment of welfare benefits and allowances concurrently. An example of one exception is the payment of a widow's pension in addition to disability benefit, at half the rate of payment. However, the payment of carer's allowance in addition to a widow's pension would have major cost implications and I am not convinced that it would be the best use of limited resources.
There have been a number of improvements in this payment since its introduction in 1990. In this year's Social Welfare Act a change was introduced to the rule which required that the carer must provide full-time care and attention in order to cater for those situations in which recipients of care attend approved rehabilitation courses. Under the new arrangements, the person may attend a recognised non-residential training course or day care centre. Furthermore, an additional payment of 50 per cent of the basic rate, was introduced for carers who take care of more than one person.
