Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Amendments Nos. 4 and 5 are ruled out of order because of a potential charge on the Exchequer and because they are in conflict with the principle of the Bill.

I will set out the full explanation. Amendment No. 4 provides for the deletion of the requirement in place for a person who is likely to require full-time care and attention for at least 12 consecutive months in order to be entitled to carer's benefit, carer's allowance or the respite care grant schemes. Removing this requirement would allow for greater access to the scheme and this could involve an additional charge on the Exchequer. Therefore, the amendment must be ruled out of order in accordance with Standing Order 156(3).

Amendment No. 5 provides that certification by a medical practitioner, including a person's own general practitioner, will determine the person's eligibility for carers benefit, carer's allowance and respite care grant schemes. One of the aims of the Bill is to clarify that eligibility for these schemes is to be determined by a deciding officer based on the relevant medical advice. The amendment must, therefore, be ruled out of order in accordance with standing order 131(1) as it is in conflict with the principle of the Bill as read a Second Time.

The amendment could allow greater access to these schemes, which could involve an additional charge on the Exchequer. Therefore, it has also been ruled out of order in accordance with Standing Order 156(3).