Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister can address Deputy Cairns' questions and my questions together. I thank the Minister for her contributions and for her tour of the various Departments and schemes. She stated earlier that she is here to help. There are many people who are dependent on State support throughout their lives, and this has been particularly reflected in the evidence we have heard at the disability committee. The Minister spoke about carers and the various efforts that have been made. There is one question with regard to carers. Carer’s benefit was brought in more than 20 years ago and it was based on contributions. It has been very successful in allowing people to come out of employment to care for a loved one, whether a sibling, a child or a parent who might need them. In many cases, there is a lifelong need for care for a sibling or child but the benefit only lasts two years. It is based on a person's employment contributions. Is there scope to look at carer’s benefit being extended beyond the two years? I see many cases coming through, particularly for the care of a sibling or a child, where one or other of the partners gives up their full-time employment to provide care. They get the carer’s benefit for two years and then they are onto the means tested payments, where, because of the spousal partner being over the limit, the only grant they get is the €1,800. While it is welcome that the grant has been increased, some flexibility is needed.

The language I would like to see is that it would be care assessed rather than means assessed. This issue should be looked at. It is a big volume of work to do but it is very important. People are providing full-time care for a family member. In overall monetary terms, they are probably saving the State a considerable amount of money but this would also recognise them as full-time carers. The two things that could be done are the extension of the carer’s benefit and ensuring it is care assessed rather than means assessed for people who have the necessity for full-time care.