Seanad debates

Wednesday, 19 December 2007

Social Welfare Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages

 

12:00 pm

Photo of Máire HoctorMáire Hoctor (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)

I thank Senator Prendergast. I do not propose to accept amendment No. 8. The rates of payment for carer's allowance and carer's benefit have been increased significantly in recent budgets. Since January 2007 the rate of carer's allowance and carer's benefit has been €200 per week for those aged under 66. The carer's allowance for those aged over 66 is currently €218 per week. As a result of improvements provided for in this year's budget all of these rates will increase by €14 per week from January 2008. People caring for more than one person receive a higher rate of carer's allowance and from January 2008 a person aged under 66 in receipt of carer's allowance who is caring for more than one person will receive €321 per week, an increase of €21 per week over 2007 rates.

In June 2005 the respite care grant was extended to all carers providing full-time care and attention to a person in need of such care regardless of the person's means or social insurance contributions. The grant is also paid to people in receipt of carer's allowance and carer's benefit. In recognition of the particular challenges which are faced by those carers who are providing care for two or more people, since June 2005 the grant has also been paid in respect of each care recipient.

The rate of the respite care grant has also been increased significantly. In this year's budget the Government provided for an increase of €200 in the level of the grant so that from June 2008 the grant will be €1,700 per year in respect of each care recipient. Last year's budget provided for significant structural reforms whereby people in receipt of a social welfare payment other than carer's allowance or benefit who are also providing someone with full-time care and attention can retain their main welfare payment and receive another payment, depending on their means, the maximum of which will be equivalent to a half-rate carer's allowance. Similarly, people currently in receipt of a carer's allowance who may have an underlying eligibility for another social welfare payment can transfer to that other payment and continue to receive up to a half-rate carer's allowance. These new arrangements which came into force in September 2007 apply to almost all weekly social welfare payments including State contributory and non-contributory pensions, widow's or widower's contributory or non-contributory pension, and to people in receipt of qualified adult allowances. Recipients of carer's allowance also qualify for the household benefits package and the free travel scheme.

The spirit of goodwill was in existence since September last, long before we reached Christmas 2007. The Minister will keep supports for carers available from the Department under review in order to continue to improve the schemes and ensure commitments on income support are delivered.

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