John Kelly (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I call on the Leader to bring to the House the Minister of State at the Department of Social Protection, Deputy Kevin Humphreys, in order that we can have a debate on issues that have been ongoing in recent years in terms of people's difficulty obtaining the carer's allowance. It appears that in most cases people are initially refused the carer's allowance and they must jump through many hoops. Eventually, 50% of appeals find in favour of the applicant. I believe an issue arises in the Department in that regard. People who seek the carer's allowance are frustrated.

I am aware of a mother who currently gets the carer's allowance whose child is just over 16 years of age. The child was getting a domiciliary care allowance and the mother was in receipt of the carer's allowance. When the child reached the age of 16 he was transferred to a disability allowance but the mother's carer's allowance is now being reassessed. When I telephoned the Department to inquire about the matter I was informed that different criteria exist for entitlement to the carer's allowance for a child over 16 than for one under 16. The person to whom I spoke would not be more specific than that. It is very important that we would have a debate in the House because if one talks to anyone who is either applying for or getting the carer's allowance, he or she is frustrated by the system.