Vol. 484 No. 2
125 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will extend the eligibility for carer's allowance for the residential care of those in a religious order in view of the fact that the current regulations exclude those residents from eligibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21789/97]
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 September 9,930 people were in receipt of a carer's allowance at an estimated full year cost of £36.4 million.
In its Action Programme for the Millenium the Government is committed to progressively relaxing the qualifying criteria for the carer's allowance to ensure that more carers can get the benefit and increasing the value of the allowance in real terms.
In line with these commitments, I will consider the potential for the further development of the scheme, including the proposal raised by the Deputy, in the context of an overall view of the provisions for carers, which is being carried out by my Department.
126 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will review the regulations in relation to child dependant payment on prolonged disability benefit where the child dependant is over 18, in full-time education and receiving no other payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21790/97]
Child dependant allowances are payable in respect of all children up to the age of 18 years. Where a claimant is in receipt of a long-term social welfare payment, child dependant allowances are payable where children in full-time education up to the age of 22 years, or up to the end of the academic year after the 22nd birthday. This is in recognition of the fact that families with children on long-term payments face a higher risk of poverty.
The Deputy will be aware that the thrust of child income support policy in recent years has been to target resources towards providing substantial increases in child benefit, as part of a strategy aimed at ensuring that child income support is more neutral vis-a -vis the employment status of the parents. Child benefit remains one of our most effective means of tackling poverty, as it channels resources directly to families most in need. It is of particular importance to families on low income. As it is not taxable, and is not withdrawn when an unemployed parent takes up employment or assessed as means for other secondary benefits such as differential rents, medical cards, etc., it does not act as a disincentive to taking up employment or improving wages.
In the 1998 budget, which was announced yesterday, this policy direction has been contained through further enhancement of the child benefit scheme. Child benefit will be increased by £1.50 per child per month for the first two children and by £3 per child for the third and subsequent children, thus bringing the lower rate up to £31.50 and the higher rate up to £42. In addition a special supplementary payment in respect of twins will be introduced. These measures will take effect from next September.
