Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 October 2022
497. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection if the once-off payment for carer’s, recently announced in Budget 23, will be issued once per carer or once per care recipient similar to the carer’s support grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49718/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe €500 Cost of Living payment referred to by the Deputy is a lump sum payment to those carers who are eligible for the Carer’s Support Grant. Unlike the Carer’s Support Grant, which is paid in respect of each person being cared for, the new lump sum payment is a single lump sum paid to the carer, irrespective of the number of persons being cared for, in response to the current cost of living crisis. This payment will be made in November. . Recipients of Domiciliary Care Allowance will also receive the €500 Carer’s Support Grant.
It is worth noting that in circumstances where the care recipient is in receipt of a long-term disability payment of Disability Allowance, Blind Pension or Invalidity Pension in their own right, they too will receive the €500 Cost of Living lump-sum Payment in November.
The €500 Cost of Living payment is part of a range of measures put in place for carers as part of Budget 2023. Other measures announced include:
- Cost of Living Double Payment to Carers in October
- Carers will also receive the Christmas Bonus Double Payment in early December
- €12 increase in the maximum rate of Carer’s Allowance and Carer’s Benefit with effect from January 2023 with proportionate increases for people receiving a reduced rate
- €2 increase for each Qualified Child, bringing rates to €50 for Over 12s and €42 for Under 12s from January 2023
- Half-rate Carer’s Allowance will be disregarded in the means assessment for Fuel Allowance with effect from January 2023
The Government acknowledges the important 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.
I can assure the Deputy that I will continue to keep the range of income supports provided to family carers by this Department under review and will ensure that consultations with carer representative groups continue so that the overall objectives of the carer income support schemes provided are met.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
