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Carer's Allowance Eligibility

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 December 2018

Thursday, 13 December 2018

Ceisteanna (213)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

213. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of correspondence (details supplied) sent to her on carer's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52535/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Carer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.

An increased payment can be made where full-time care is being provided to two people.

The legislation for CA states that a person shall be regarded as requiring full time care and attention where the person has such a disability that s/he requires -

- (a) continual supervision and frequent assistance in connection with normal bodily functions, or

- (b) continual supervision in order to avoid danger to himself/herself.

and is likely to require such full-time care and attention for at least 12 consecutive months.

The exact amount of hours or days for which care must be provided is not defined in legislation.

However, one of the tests to decide if full-time care and attention is being provided is whether the care given addresses the above issues.

The Department takes the view that full-time care and attention does not necessarily mean 24 hours in each day. Full-time care and attention can be considered to apply where there is an on-going and daily commitment by the carer and which also generally results in the carer not being able to support him/herself through normal full-time employment.

The care provided must be, in nature, more personal care than housekeeping assistance and must match the level of care required by the care recipient.

The time spent giving care each week could also be regarded as being, at the very minimum, equivalent to the time that would be spent at a full-time job.

Generally, this is considered to be at least 35 hours per week. 

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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