Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 2:

In page 3, between lines 19 and 20, to insert the following: "Report on introducing a pay-related carers benefit payment

4. The Minister shall prepare and lay a report before the Houses of the Oireachtas on introducing a pay-related carers benefit payment for those people who have to give up work to care for someone. This would ensure that a carer does not see their income fall off a cliff edge and that they see their income protected and that the report shall be presented to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Social Protection within 1 month of the passing of this Act.".

This amendment calls for a report on pay-related carer's benefit payments. The Minister understands why we are calling for reports: we are prevented from calling for anything that would put a charge on the Exchequer. Amendment No. 2 states:

The Minister shall prepare and lay a report before the Houses of the Oireachtas on introducing a pay-related carers benefit payment for those people who have to give up work to care for someone. This would ensure that a carer does not see their income fall off a cliff edge and that they see their income protected and that the report shall be presented to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Social Protection within 1 month of the passing of this Act.

All of us have met people who have had to give up work at quite sudden notice to look after a loved one. The huge drop in income is a massive issue, so the proposal is very sensible. The Department would benefit from the proposed report in determining what can be done to counteract what is occurring. As the Minister may know, Sinn Féin is committed to a pay-related carer's benefit payment, which would prevent this cliff edge. The maximum payment would be €450, with a tapering down of the payment every six months. Many people find themselves having to stop working because of the need to care for someone, and they see a significant fall in their income as a result. Therefore, it is important that there be a pay-related carer's benefit scheme similar to the pay-related scheme for jobseekers.