Mr. R?n?n Hession:

I thank the Deputy for his questions. On the carer’s point, the carer’s allowance payment is an income support for people who are providing full-time care and attention for a person for a period of longer than 12 months. It is primarily to support those who, because of their caring responsibilities, are not able to make themselves available for employment, which they would otherwise do. Within that, there is a balance and scope for carers to continue to work either to supplement their income or perhaps for those thinking ahead to when their caring role will stop, who will need to return to employment and who will need to keep that connection with the labour force. There is a threshold of 18.5 hours' employment per week. That was changed in budget 2020. Prior to that, there had been a ten-hour employment limit, and that was increased to 15 hours in 2006. It had been at that limit for a long time and we heard from carers for many years that limit was too restrictive and needed to be raised. A few budgets ago the threshold was increased to 18.5 hours. Last year the means test for the scheme was increased both for a single person and for a couple, where carers worked those extra hours, whether they were engaged in farming or in other employment that did not tip them over the threshold in terms of their means. With these provisions, it is about striking a balance. The raison d'êtrefor the carer’s payment is to support people providing full-time care and attention for a person and balancing that with a recognition there are legitimate reasons, be it financial, personal or in context of longer term plans, a carer might also need to work. The 18.5 hour threshold is in place to provide some flexibility around that.