Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 December 2018
628. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if there is provision to allow for carer’s leave to be extended in the case of a person (details supplied) due to extenuating and serious medical circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53077/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer's Benefit (CARB) is a statutory PRSI-based payment made to a person who leaves the workforce to care for a child or an adult in need of full-time care and attention. Social welfare legislation provides that it is payable for a maximum of 104 weeks in respect of each person being cared for and there is no provision in legislation for the extension of that period.
Carer's Leave, which is administered by the Department of Justice and Equality, also has a statutory limit of 104 weeks for each person being cared for.
Where entitlement to carer's benefit expires and the person concerned continues to provide full-time care and attention to a person, they may have an entitlement to carer's allowance (CA) which is a means tested social assistance payment.
The lady referred to by the Deputy should consider applying for that scheme and I have arranged for a CA application form to issue to her. Should she apply, her application will be dealt with as quickly as possible.
Given her recent diagnosis, this lady should also consider making an application for Illness Benefit (IB). It is possible that CA could be paid at half-rate in addition to IB, as long as the normal CA scheme conditions are satisfied.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
