Carer's Allowance is a social assistance payment, made to persons who are providing full time care and attention to elderly people or to people with disabilities and whose income falls below certain limits.
The information requested by the Deputy is set out below in tabular format.
|
2006
|
2007
|
2008
|
2009
|
2010
|
2011 to date*
|
Carer’s allowance Claims Received
|
10,657
|
18,097
|
18,928
|
16,574
|
18,212
|
572
|
Carer’s allowance Claims Awarded
|
5,813
|
9,109
|
15,457
|
10,730
|
8,769
|
277
|
Carer’s allowance Claims Refused
|
2,814
|
3,537
|
5,015
|
5,776
|
6,972
|
190
|
Carer’s allowance Claims Withdrawn
|
992
|
1,272
|
1,210
|
1,451
|
888
|
30
|
*To the 14 January 2011.
The following are changes to the qualification guidelines from 2006 to date.
On the 1st of June 2006 the amount of hours a carer was permitted to work outside the home per week was increased from ten hours to fifteen hours.
In Budget 2007, the Minister provided for new arrangements whereby people in receipt of certain social welfare payments, who are also providing full time care and attention, will be able to retain their main welfare payment and receive, depending on their means, half rate carer's allowance. This was introduced on the 27th September 2007.
The means test for carer's allowance has been significantly eased over the years, and is now one of the most generous means tests in the social welfare system, most notably with regard to spouse's earnings. In April 2006 the income disregard increased from €540 to €580 per week for a couple. In April 2007 it increased to €640 per week for a couple. Since April 2008 the income disregard has been €332.50 per week for a single person and €665 per week for a couple
There have been no other changes to the qualification guidelines from 2006 to date, apart for rate changes in accordance with the budget each year.