Carer’s allowance and carer’s benefit are paid to people who are caring for a person who needs full-time care and attention. They are intended as an income support for the carer and not to supplement the cost of care. In many cases the care recipient will be in receipt of an income support payment in their own right, for example disability allowance or a State pension.
Home help supports, respite and other services are provided by the HSE. The individual need for these supports will vary depending on the condition of the care recipient. The fact that a carer is in receipt of a carer’s allowance or carer’s benefit does not preclude the person being cared for from receiving supports from the HSE.
A person who is caring for someone on a full-time basis with a serious illness or severe mental or physical disability may not be in a position to provide for all the care needs of this person on a round the clock basis. They may need additional support by way of a home help sometimes for just a few hours a week to do their weekly shopping for example or attend personal appointments, including providing for their own medical welfare. In addition, a person in receipt of carer’s allowance may work for up to fifteen hours per week outside the home. I would be concerned at any suggestion that a person be automatically disbarred from receiving home help support purely on the basis that a carer was in receipt of carer’s allowance. Officials in my Department have regular consultation with their colleagues in the Department of Health and the HSE on matters of concern for carers and the full range of supports for carers from the two Departments.
