Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:130 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the plans, if any, he has to increase the carer's allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23882/99]
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
The carer's allowance is a means tested payment for carers on low income who look after people in need of full-time care and attention.
Following a detailed examination of the review of the carer's allowance, which was published in October 1998, a range of measures was introduced in the 1999 budget at an additional annual cost of over £18 million, to improve and develop the position of carers. These measures, which were implemented between April and August this year, bring expenditure on the carer's allowance scheme in 1999 to almost £60 million which represents a 33% increase over the £45 million spent in 1998. This increase is reflected in the increasing numbers of carers in receipt of a carer's allowance which are up over 50%, from 9,200 when this Government took up office to 13,850 carers at the end of October this year.
In addition to the package of measures for carers introduced in last year's budget, the rate of the carer's allowance increased in June this year by £3 per week for recipients of the allowance who are under age 66 and by £6 per week for those who are over age 66. This represents an increase of 4.1% and 7.9% respectively on 1998 rates.
The question of further improvements to the carer's allowance and for carers generally will be considered in a budgetary context, taking account of our key priorities in the care area, as set out in the review of our action programme, published recently.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:131 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he intends to substantially increase child benefits in view of the increased requirements in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23883/99]
The value of the child benefit scheme as an effective mechanism for the provision of child income support is reflected in the substantial investment which the Government makes in the scheme, at a full year cost of around £475 million per annum. The last budget provided for increases in child benefit of £3 per month for each of the first two children in a family and £4 per month for the third and subsequent children at a full-year cost of over £40 million. This brought the monthly rates payable from September 1999 up to £34.50 and £46 respectively.
It is my intention that the potential of the child benefit scheme as an effective mechanism for the delivery of child income support should be exploited to the greatest possible extent. The level of any further increase in child benefit is a matter which is currently being considered by Government in the context of the forthcoming budget.
Joe Higgins
Ceist:132 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the anomaly that the spouse of a person in receipt of disability benefit can earn up to £105 per week without affecting the recipient's payment, while the spouse of a recipient of invalidity pension can only earn £60; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23886/99]
The regulations which allow for the tapered withdrawal of the qualified adult allowance when the spouse or partner of the claimant has income of between £60 and £105 currently apply to recipients of unemployment benefit, unemployment assistance, disability benefit, disability allowance, pre-retirement allowance, injury benefit and unemployability supplement. The question of introducing further enhancements to these arrangements, including the issue of extending the tapering arrangements to cover such other payments as invalidity pension, is a matter for consideration in the context of the forthcoming budget, having regard to the resources available and to the range of other priorities.
Michael Ring
Ceist:133 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Galway will receive an increase in unemployment benefit to include payment for her dependent husband and child. [23887/99]
The person concerned has applied for an increase in payment in respect of her husband, who is self-employed, and their child.
Entitlement to the increase depends on the income of the husband. A decision in the case will be made shortly and the person concerned will then be notified of the outcome.