Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

To support a carer’s continued attachment to the workforce and broader social inclusion, carers may engage in some limited employment, education or training while still being regarded as being in a position to provide full-time care. During this time, adequate provision must be made for the care of the relevant person. Since budget 2020, the number of hours family carers can work, study or attend a training course has increased from 15 hours to 18.5 hours per week. The increase was made in response to requests from carers' organisations and from carers themselves, who found the 15 hours too restrictive. Those in receipt of carer's allowance, carer's benefit and the carer's support grant can avail of this change. Every increase in the hours allowed for a carer to engage in employment, education or training results in an associated shift of the balance towards the needs of the carer over the requirement for providing full-time care for the care recipient. That balance has to be maintained and we have to bear the recipient of the care in mind.

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