Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:757. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection what options are available to a worker in a caring situation (details supplied). [14252/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 9 April 2024
Ceisteanna (757)
Freagraí scríofa
The Carer's Leave Act 2001 allows employees to leave their employment temporarily to provide full-time care for someone in need of full-time care and attention. A person is entitled to take Carer’s leave of at least 13 weeks up to a maximum of 104 weeks. Responsibility for various forms of family-related leave, including Carer’s Leave, and the extension of same comes under the remit of the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration & Youth.
Carer’s leave from employment is unpaid. However, a person may be entitled to Carer's Benefit paid by the Department of Social Protection. The Carer's Benefit payment is an entitlement based on social insurance contributions. It is a payment provided to people who may be required to leave the workforce or reduce their working hours, for a short period of time, to care for someone in need of full-time care.
To receive a Carer’s Benefit weekly payment, a person must satisfy all qualifying conditions and criteria of the scheme as defined in the legislation.
The person concerned was deemed eligible for both a Carer’s Benefit payment and Carer's Leave on 19 August 2022 and they will have used both their full Carer’s Benefit and Leave entitlement (104 weeks) on 14 August 2024.
As the person concerned was in receipt of Class A PRSI contributions when they commenced Carer's Leave their entitlement to these contributions shall continue for the period they are in receipt of Carer’s Benefit. It is open to the person concerned to apply for Carer's Allowance when their Carer’s Benefit payment ceases. If the person concerned is deemed to meet the qualifying conditions for Carer’s Allowance, they shall receive a weekly payment and they can apply to this Department for PRSI credits. These credits will count towards any further social welfare entitlements in the future.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.