Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2020
798. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to ensure that the carer’s grant can be received by persons that are operating as full-time carers while also working in excess of 16 hours a week in view of previous statements that the payment would be based on the level of care provided and not means tested as in the case of a person (details supplied). [12687/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government acknowledges the crucial role that family carers play and is fully committed to supporting carers in that role. This commitment is recognised in both the Programme for Government and the National Carers’ Strategy.
The main income supports to carers provided by my Department are Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit and the Carer’s Support Grant. Combined spending on all DEASP payments to carers in 2020 is expected to exceed €1.3 billion.
The Carer’s Support Grant is an annual payment of €1,700 for each care recipient paid in a single lump sum with no requirement to satisfy a means test.is available to all carers providing full-time care to an older person or a person with a disability, regardless of their means or social insurance contributions.
The Carer’s Support Grant is payable on the first Thursday in June each year. The Grant is paid automatically to people in receipt of Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit or Domiciliary Care Allowance. Other people who are not in receipt of a social welfare payment but who are providing full time care and attention are also eligible and can apply for a grant. The grant is paid in respect of each person being cared for to take account of the additional cost of providing care and to recognise the particular challenges faced by these carers. The estimated expenditure on the Carer’s Support Grant this year is €237.32 million. Some 114,000 carers received the annual Carer's Support Grant on Thursday 4 June.
It is a condition of receipt of the Carer’s Support Grant that the carer must be providing full-time care and attention. The full-time care and attention condition has been moderated by legislation allowing the carer to work or engage in education or training outside the home. During any period of employment, education or training, adequate provision must be made for the care of the relevant person. In setting the relevant working hours thresholds, it is essential to balance the needs of the carer and the person to whom care is being provided.
As part of Budget 2020, I increased the number of hours that family carers can work, study or attend a training course outside the home, from 15 to 18.5 hours per week. Those in receipt of Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit and the Carer’s Support Grant can avail of this change which came into effect from 6 January 2020.
Any further changes to the conditions for receipt of the Carer's Support Grant would need to be considered in an overall budgetary context.
I hope this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
