Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Workers and Unemployed Action Group)
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Question 21: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when she intends to reverse the cuts in carer's allowance implemented by the previous Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6211/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Despite the recent cuts experienced by carers under 66, over the past decade weekly payment rates to carers have greatly increased, qualifying conditions for carer's allowance have significantly eased, coverage of the scheme has been extended and new schemes such as carer's benefit, half-rate carer's allowance and the respite care grant have been introduced and extended. The carer's allowance rate for carers over 66 years of age has not been changed and remains at €239. The rate of carer's allowance for someone under 66 is €204. Recipients of carer's allowance are also eligible for household benefits, free travel and the respite care grant.

The means test for carer's allowance has been significantly eased over the years, and is now one of the most generous means tests in the social welfare system, most notably with regard to spouse's earnings. Since April 2008, the income disregard has been €332.50 per week for a single person and €665 per week for a couple. This means that a couple with two children can earn in the region of €37,200 per year and qualify for the maximum rate of carer's allowance, as well as the associated free travel and household benefits. A couple with an income in the region of €60,400 can still qualify for a minimum payment, as well as the associated free travel and household benefits package. These levels surpass the Towards 2016 commitment to ensure that those on average industrial earnings continue to qualify for a full carer's allowance.

From June 2005, the annual respite care grant was extended to all carers providing full-time care to a person who needs such care, regardless of their income. The rate of the respite care grant has also been increased to €1,700 per year in respect of each care recipient since June 2008.

The Government is committed to maintaining social welfare rates at their current level. Any changes will be in the context of discussions on the budget.

Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Workers and Unemployed Action Group)
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I concur with previous speakers in congratulating the Minister on her appointment and wishing her well for the future.

If my eyes were closed, I would have thought it was a Minister from the previous Government who was giving the reply to this question. We are dealing with the one of the most vulnerable sections of society. I understood that the Government was going to be fair and balanced in dealing with the recession, and that the less well off were going to be protected. We are dealing with people who are earning at most about €1.20 per hour-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Could the Deputy pose a question please? We have a time limit.

Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Workers and Unemployed Action Group)
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Is the Minister aware that carers earn about €1.20 per hour and work 168 hours per week? Is she aware that 160,000 carers work about 3.7 million hours per week and save the State about €2.5 billion per year? Is it not reasonable that this section of our community should be exempt from any cutbacks? There is a huge contrast between how carers are being dealt with and how very wealthy people get away with paying no wealth tax, even though the top 5% of the wealthiest people in the country have some €250 billion in assets. Carers have suffered a €16.30 per week cut over the last two budgets, so they should surely be exempt. Would the Minister reconsider reversing these cuts immediately?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Minister has one minute to reply.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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As of 18 March, there were approximately 50,000 people in receipt of carer's allowance, over 21,000 of whom work on the half-rate carer's allowance. The cost of the various payments and income supports that are made to carers comes to approximately €658 million.

The Deputy is right to identify the economic crisis caused by the banks and some very wealthy people in this country, and by the actions of the previous Government. It is our proposal in this Government to get people back to work. We value the work and the contribution of the carers very highly. As we regenerate the economy and get people back to work, we will then be in a position to improve the situation for carers, who do very valuable work in Irish society.

Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Workers and Unemployed Action Group)
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Can I ask a supplementary question?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I am sorry, but the time has expired.