Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Government very much values and appreciates the work of carers, family carers in particular, in looking after their loved ones. As a Government, we are determined to support them. Those are not just words, as we have demonstrated in the past couple of years.

We fully restored the carer support grant which was cut by another Government some years ago. The carer's allowance and carer's benefit will increase in late March to a level higher than that in place before the financial crisis. Last year, we extended free GP care to those in receipt of carer's allowance or carer's benefit because carers also need to be cared for. When I was Minister for Social Protection, I brought in a 12-week rule whereby carers continue to receive carer's allowance or carer's benefit for three months after ceasing to be a carer, such as when their loved one passes away or goes into a nursing home, for example, in order to give them time to get back on their feet, readjust and find a new life for themselves. I am very proud to have been part of making some of those changes. Carers are allowed to work part time because some carers who we support financially are not full-time carers and are able to undertake part-time work. The means test is among the most generous internationally and carers are allowed to earn additional income on top of the carer's payments, which are among the highest in the world.

Crucially, last year and this year respite services were and are being extended because carers need time off. The best way we can support them in that regard is to ensure that more respite is available for those for whom they care. That is why an additional respite house is being established in every community care area in the country, a process that is very much driven by the leadership of the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath.

The Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Deputy Regina Doherty, has apologised already for the delays in processing applications. Work is being done to improve the situation and allocate more staff to the section to ensure that applications are processed far more quickly than is currently the case. The applications are not always straightforward. The process differs from other applications because in addition to a means test, a medical report to verify that the person being cared for needs full-time or close to full-time care is required. That is one of the reasons why they take somewhat longer to process than other applications. However, we accept that the processing times are too long and are resourcing the section and changing procedures to speed them up. Of course, as is the case with many social welfare allowances and benefits, arrears are paid once eligibility has been determined.

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