Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 539: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons availing of the carer's allowance on a full time care basis and on a shared care basis and the total costs of each of these payments for 2009, 2010 and 2011. [18165/12]

Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 540: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of applicants for carer's allowance under the full time and shared care basis respectively in 2009, 2010 and 2011. [18166/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 539 and 540 together.

The information requested in respect of carer's allowance applications is contained in the table.

COST

Year €000 Numbers in payment

In 2011, there were almost 52,000 persons in receipt of carer's allowance from my Department. Approx. 22,000 of these were getting half-rate carers allowance in addition to another social welfare payment. However, all the recipients are providing full-time care as required.

In addition, there are circa 27 carers who provide full time care and attention during holiday periods. This may range from a week or two during Easter or Christmas or periods during the Summer holidays. There are circa 30 recipients who provide shared caring on an on-going basis. Under legislation the carer must provide this care for a complete week i.e. Monday to Sunday. A carer may share the caring duties with another individual on a week on week off basis or a carer may provide care on alternate weeks with the care recipient attending a residential institution every other week.

Each carer will share the carer's allowance income support payment and the annual respite care grant.

Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 541: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who have had the carer's allowance withdrawn in 2009, 2010 and 2011 as a result of the person they care for going into residential care for four days per week or more. [18167/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The above information is not available. Once the carer is no longer providing full-time care the payment is withdrawn. There is no breakdown available in respect of the specific reason(s) for these withdrawn claims.