Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 304: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his proposals to extend the carer's benefit to the parents of premature babies when the mothers' entitlement to maternity benefit has been exhausted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8042/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The carer's benefit scheme is a weekly income support payment operated and paid by this Department. It is specifically intended to support people who must leave the workforce temporarily to care for someone who is in need of full-time care and attention. It is based on PRSI contributions paid by the carer. As provided for in the Social Welfare Law Reform and Pensions Bill 2006, the benefit is payable for a period of two years for each care recipient and may be claimed over separate time periods. A carer may qualify for carer's benefit after the maternity benefit expires in respect of the baby, so long as the baby satisfies the medical criteria and the carer satisfies the other qualifying conditions for entitlement.

If the Deputy has a particular case in mind, I can have it examined by my Department.