Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 90, 413 and 414 together.

Supporting and recognising carers in our society is and has been a priority of the Government. Weekly payment rates to carers have been greatly increased, qualifying conditions for carer's allowance have been significantly eased, coverage of the scheme has been extended and new schemes such as carer's benefit and the respite care grant have been introduced and extended.

According to the census of 2002, approximately 148,750 people provide care for someone for at least one hour per week. Of these, 48,500 people provide personal care for more than 29 hours per week or approximately four hours per day. More than 14,300 of this group are employed for more than 15 hours per week.

At present, only approximately 27,100 people are in receipt of carer's allowance. A further 1,400 people are in receipt of carer's benefit. As a result of the extension of the respite care grant to all full-time carers regardless of their means, approximately 34,000 grants are now paid, including more than 8,300 grants to people not in receipt of carer's allowance or carer's benefit. Applications for the 2005 grant continue to be received.

In line with other social assistance schemes, a means test is applied to the carer's allowance to ensure limited resources are directed. This means test has been eased significantly over the years. Following budget 2006, since April, the earnings disregard for a couple has been set at €580 per week, which is equivalent to gross average industrial earnings. This means that a couple with two children can earn up to €32,925 per annum and still receive the maximum rate of carer's allowance as well as free travel, the household benefits package and the respite care grant. In accordance with the new social partnership agreement, Towards 2016, I am committed to expanding, subject to available resources, the income limits for carer's allowance and I am aiming to keep the level of the disregard in line with average industrial earnings.

In budget 2006, I announced the largest increases in the weekly rates of payments to carers representing increases of over 17% for recipients of carer's allowances. I also increased the level of the respite care grant from €1,000 to €1,200 per year from June 2006.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House.

I have also made other improvements to the supports available to carers from my Department. From June this year, I increased the number of hours that a carer may work and still receive a carer's allowance from ten to 15 hours per week. I also extended the duration of the carer's benefit scheme from 15 months to two years. The duration of the associated carer's leave scheme has also been extended to two years.

Recommendations involving additional expenditure can only be considered in a budgetary context. However, I am always prepared to consider changes to existing arrangements where these are for the benefit of recipients and financially sustainable within the resources available to me. I will continue to bring forward proposals that recognise the valued and valuable contribution of carers in a tangible way.

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