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Household Benefits Scheme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 June 2019

Tuesday, 11 June 2019

Ceisteanna (877)

Peter Burke

Ceist:

877. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will consider restoring the household benefits package for carers who do not live with the people for whom they care, which sees them take home less than most other recipients of social welfare payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23532/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The household benefits package (HHB) comprises the electricity or gas allowance, and the free television licence. My Department will spend approximately €248 million this year on HHB for over 446,000 customers. The package is generally available to people living in the State aged 66 years or over who are in receipt of a social welfare type payment or who satisfy a means test. The package is also available to some people under the age of 66 who are in receipt of certain welfare type payments.

Since 1 April 2012, new applicants in receipt of Carer's Allowance who are not living with the person for whom they provide care do not have an automatic entitlement to the household benefits package. Carers who live with the person they are caring for still have an entitlement of their own to the household benefits package and do not have to satisfy the household composition criteria.

The Government values the role of carers very much and it is for this reason that they receive significant income supports from the Department. In addition to carer’s allowance, carers receive additional support in the form of free travel and household benefits (for those who live with the person for whom they care) and the annual carer's support grant (€1,700) in respect of each person for whom they care. Where a person is in receipt of certain qualifying social welfare payments, and also providing full-time care and attention to another person, they can keep their primary social welfare payment and also get the half-rate carer's allowance.

The maximum rates of Carer's Allowance for those aged under 66, at €219 (€257 for carers aged 66 or over) for where one person is being cared for, and €328.50 (€385.50 for carers aged 66 or over) where there are two or more carees, is significantly higher than that for such Department Schemes as Jobseeker's Allowance, which is €203 for those aged 26, and lower for younger claimants.

The means test for carers allowance has been significantly eased over the years, and is now one of the most generous means tests in the social welfare system, most notably with regard to spouse’s earnings. At present the means test for Carer’s Allowance allows for an income disregard of €332.50 per week for a single person and €665 for a couple. In the case of a single carer: - that person may retain a full-rate payment of €219.00 while having an annual income of just under €19,000.00, retain a payment of €109.00 per week (just under half rate) while having an annual income of €25,400.00, or retain the minimum payment of €4 per week while having an annual income of €31,100.00.

Carers can also engage in employment, self-employment, training or education courses outside the home for not more than 15 hours a week.

Any decision to change the qualifying criteria for HHB would have budgetary consequences and would have to be considered in the context of budget negotiations.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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