Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 291: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the way a person who switches from a qualified adult payment on their spouse's pension to a carer's allowance in their own right, will be affected by the changes in September 2007, that is the introduction of a half-rate carer's allowance; if carers in this situation will be allowed to switch back to the qualified adult payment and receive the half-rate carer's payment; and the provision being made to equalise the overall payment to carers irrespective of the primary payment they receive. [4235/07]

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 294: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the proposals he has to backdate the half rate carers allowance to be introduced for pensioners in September 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4385/07]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 291 and 294 together.

The primary objective of the social welfare system is to provide income support and as a general rule only one weekly social welfare payment is payable to an individual. Persons qualifying for two social welfare payments receive the higher payment to which they are entitled. I am aware that this has been a cause of particular concern to people in receipt of a social welfare payment when they become carers. For that reason I was very pleased to introduce fundamental structural reforms in this area in Budget 2007. Under these new arrangements people in receipt of certain social welfare payments other than carer's allowance or benefit who are providing someone with full time care and attention will be able to retain their main payment and receive another payment, depending on their means, the maximum of which will be equivalent to a half rate carer's allowance. Details as to how this arrangement will operate, including the treatment of qualified adults, are currently being finalised and will be set out in legislation shortly. There are also significant administrative and IT issues which must be addressed before such a reform can be implemented. As a result, September 2007 has been chosen as the implementation date.

With regard to the level of support available to carers I have continued to increase the rates of carer's allowance and benefit as well as the level of the respite care grant. Most recently, in Budget 2007 I increased the rates of carer's allowance to €200 per week for those aged under 66 and to €218 per week for those aged over 66. In addition, from June 2005, the annual respite care grant was extended to all carers who are providing full time care to a person who needs such care regardless of their income. Those persons in receipt of other social welfare payments, excluding jobseeker's assistance and benefit, are entitled to this payment subject to certain conditions, such as providing full time care to a person who needs such care regardless of their income. Those persons in receipt of other social welfare payments, excluding jobseeker's assistance and benefit, are entitled to this payment subject to meeting the full time care condition. From June 2007 the level of the grant will increase by €300 from €1,200 to €1,500 per year in respect of each person being cared for. Towards 2016 commits the Government to continuing to review the scope for further development of the carer's allowance, carer's benefit and the respite care grant. I am committed to working for, and with, carers to deliver increased benefits, supports, and services for them and their families. The improvements for carers which I announced in Budget 2007 are further evidence of this commitment.