Results 1-6 of 6 for carers segment:3554087

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (16 Dec 2005)

Michael Brennan: The budget package of €30 million in this area is designed to increase the level of support for carers. This increase makes the carer's allowance the largest single welfare benefit in the State, apart from the provision for the over 80s. The allowance rises to €200 a week, an increase of 17%, and the respite care grant increases by 25%, from €1,000 to €1,200. The income disregard for...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (16 Dec 2005)

Michael Brennan: I wish to outline some interesting figures. The Central Statistics Office indicates that the total number of carers is 150,000 but the total number caring for more than four hours a day is 49,000. Of these, the number caring for more than ten hours a day is 16,000. While there is the headline figure of 150,000 carers, when one inquires about carers in terms of the number of hours of caring...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (16 Dec 2005)

Paul Bradford: I was one of those who asked on Second Stage that the Minister would advance this matter further and reconsider the means testing of the carer's allowance. I note with interest the figure the Minister is putting on the removal of the means test which will amount to approximately €150 million. Is that the cost of paying the full allowance to the present recipients of a carer's allowance,...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (16 Dec 2005)

Sheila Terry: ...The Minister for Social and Family affairs shall, within three months of the commencement of this Act, lay before the Houses of the Oireachtas a report on the review of social welfare payments for carers.". The Bill ensures far greater support for carers and means they will be allowed to earn more before their grant is affected by their income. How many are in receipt of the carer's...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (16 Dec 2005)

Sheila Terry: ...area. Other Senators and I said yesterday that the respite grant should be doubled to make it possible for people to go into a nursing home for two weeks rather than one week if they so wish. Many carers who carry the heavy burden of caring for people with disabilities or elderly people who need full-time care would need a two-week break. The respite grant would be one way of helping to...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (16 Dec 2005)

Margaret Cox: ...the issue I raised yesterday on the second payment to widows, in particular, or widowers, who are moving into the caring profession. I accept his suggestion that it is a good idea to make the carer's allowance the larger payment so that people will be encouraged to become carers. It is always difficult to try to change the status quo. In order to achieve equality and equity, it should be...