Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

A couple with two children can earn in the region of €37,200 and still receive the maximum rate of carer's allowance. In light of the disregards that exist, we are trying to ensure that carers, depending on family circumstances, have the opportunity to work outside the home as well. We recognise and appreciate these individuals for the work they do. The same applies in respect of the domiciliary care allowance for parents who have children with special needs. We did not cut this allowance, even though the people in this group are of working age. It was important that we did not reduce the rate of this allowance.

Some €650 million will be spent on carer's allowance, carer's benefit, the respite care grant and the half-rate carer's allowance in 2009. This compares to an amount of €46 million being spent on them just over ten years ago. That is a very big contribution.

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