Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In regard to the carer's allowance, there has been an increase of approximately 5,000 in the number of people in receipt of this allowance. Approximately 80% of carers in this country do not get any payment. In other words, they do not qualify for carer's allowance for one reason or another. Representations have been made by the association representing carers and others seeking flexibility in the rules governing carer's allowance. For example, there is a specific proposal from Family Carers Ireland that the amount of time a person is allowed to spend working outside of the home be increased from 15 hours to, say, 18.5 hours. What would be the likely cost of that proposal and how many people are in receipt of the carer's support grant who are not in receipt of the carer's allowance?

I note a slight decrease in uptake of the disability activation supports. A problem we hear about on a regular basis is access to the workforce for people with disabilities. As the Minister will be aware, unemployment is very high among people with disabilities. It is generally accepted that not only must these people be helped and supported into the workforce but they must be supported to adjust to the workforce. The existing provision in this regard appears to be grossly inadequate. In the figures before us today there is a decrease in provision rather than an increase.

Rent supplement is down from €176 million to €132 million, which is related to the transfer to the housing assistance payment, HAP. Can the Minister indicate the overall amount for HAP and rent supplement?