Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)

I do not have personal experience of this matter. However, agencies that work in the area have contacted us and claim that some cases exist. The suggestion I made whereby a stipulation would be put in place in respect of the person being cared for is not new. There are, after all, two existing stipulations regarding the person in respect of whom care is being provided. The first of these relates to his or her disability and the second to his or her place of residence. I do not see the difficulty in extending the provisions.

Removing the habitual residence condition in respect of carer's allowance would not pose a major risk. The figures relating to this matter are quite small. In light of current circumstances, our historical background and the phenomenon of people returning home for short periods to provide care, the Minister should at least put in place a pilot scheme for a three-year period to identify abuses that might occur. There is no evidence of abuse or attempted abuse and the numbers are small. The amendment would deal with those few who seem to be hard done by.

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