Vol. 562 No. 1
492 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a person who is in receipt of a contributory retirement pension and who is the sole carer for a very ill partner is eligible to receive a carer's allowance in addition to their pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5195/03]
Under social welfare regulations, carer's allowance and retirement pension are not payable concurrently. Under the social welfare system, as a general rule, only one social welfare payment is payable to an individual. Where a person in receipt of another social welfare payment qualifies for carer's allowance they are advised as to which payment is financially more beneficial and given the option of claiming under either scheme.
