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Carer's Allowance Eligibility

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 January 2016

Wednesday, 13 January 2016

Ceisteanna (97)

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

97. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will investigate a matter (details supplied) regarding carer's benefit and carer's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1003/16]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Carer's allowance (CA) is a social assistance payment, made to persons who are providing full-time care and attention to a person who has a disability such that they require that level of care and who satisfy a means test.

Carer’s allowance is not generally payable outside the State. However, where either the carer or care recipient needs to undergo medical or other treatment of a temporary nature, and where that treatment is not available in the State, on the provision of documentary evidence, payment can be made within the EU for a period not exceeding 13 weeks.

The carer’s benefit scheme is a weekly payment intended to provide income support to people who must leave the workforce temporarily to care for someone who is in need of full-time care and attention.

Entitlement to carer’s benefit is based on an applicant satisfying employment and PRSI contribution conditions. The care recipient must meet the full-time care and attention requirements and carer must provide full-time care. The maximum duration of the carer’s benefit scheme is 104 weeks in respect of an individual care recipient.

Periods of social insurance completed in another EU member state may be taken into account to meet PRSI contribution conditions. Where the carer last paid a social insurance contribution determines the EU member state with responsibility for paying benefits. Accordingly, payment of a last contribution in Ireland means that payment of carer’s benefit is the responsibility of this Department.

Carer’s benefit may be paid to a carer resident in any country within the EU who is providing full-time care and attention to another person(s) in that country, provided that the carer’s benefit qualifying conditions have been met.

Neither carer’s allowance nor benefit are payable to persons resident outside the EU.

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