Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 July 2018
565. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to clarify to persons in receipt of a carer's allowance that they are permitted to work more than 15 hours per week exceeding the limit as long as the work is based in the home; the types of work this includes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31536/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer's Allowance (CA) is a means-tested payment, made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that they require that level of care. An increased payment can be made where full-time care and attention is being provided to two people.
A person can be considered to be providing full-time care and attention where they are engaged in employment, self-employment or on training courses outside the home for a maximum of 15 hours per week, provided that they can show to the satisfaction of a deciding officer that adequate care has been provided for the care recipient in their absence.
Employment, self-employment or education carried out inside the home is permitted and there is no limit on the duration of time spent on these activities. However, in order for CA to be awarded, a deciding officer must be satisfied that the carer can still provide full-time care and attention to a person despite carrying out these activities.
One of the requirements for a successful CA application is that the cared for person requires from another person, continual supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with normal bodily functions or continuous supervision in order to avoid danger to him or herself and likely to require that level of care for at least twelve months.
If the carer is deemed not to be able to provide this level of care due to the duration of activity spent on employment, self-employment or education or training courses inside the home, the application for CA will be disallowed.
Each case is decided on its own merits.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
