Finian McGrath
Ceist:199 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will consider proposals from the Carers Association (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23720/03]
Adjournment Debate. - Budget Submissions.
The Carers Association has submitted its pre-budget submission to me and was represented at my pre-budget forum this week. The submission includes proposals relating to the rate of payment of carer's allowance, the carer's allowance means test and the concurrent payment of carer's allowance with other social welfare payments. These and the other proposals in the submission will be considered in the context of developing proposals for the forthcoming budget.
The development of the range of supports for carers is a priority for this Government and, building on the foundations already in place, we will continue to develop the types of services which recognise the value of the caring ethos and which provide real support and practical assistance to people who devote their time to improving the quality of life for others.
The Deputy may be interested to note that the Central Statistics Office, CSO, included a question in 2002 census to identify the number of carers providing full-time care and attention. The analysis of this portion of the census, which became available yesterday, is as follows: 40,526 people provide 43 hours or more unpaid personal help per week, or over six hours per day; 23,366 people provide 15 to 42 hours unpaid personal help per week, or between two and six hours per day; 84,862 people provide one to 14 hours unpaid personal help per week, or up to two hours per day.
There are currently 21,700 carers in receipt of carer's allowance or carer's benefit which means that almost 34 per cent of the 64,000 carers, as estimated by the CSO to be caring for more than two hours per day, are in receipt of a specific carer's payment from my Department.