Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 590: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he has plans to facilitate families of over three children who need to purchase a multi-person vehicle with an increased child benefit payment to offset the extra carbon tax they will have to pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9967/07]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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Child benefit is a universal payment, paid in respect of children up to the age of 16 years. It continues to be paid in respect of children up to age 19 who are in full-time education, or who have a physical or mental disability.

The policy of the Government over the past number of years has been to substantially increase the amount spent on child benefit for all families. Commitment to this policy is reflected in the significant resources invested in the scheme since 2001, increasing monthly payments to €160.00 for each of the first two children and €195.00 for the third and subsequent children from April 2007. This represents increases of 320% and 294% respectively since 1997, compared to a 41.4% increase in the consumer price index over the same period.

To ensure that additional resources are targeted at larger families, a higher rate of child benefit is already paid in respect of the third and subsequent qualified children. I have no immediate plans to change current arrangements but I will continue to keep the matter under review.

John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 591: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his plans to back date the new additional means tested payment equivalent to up to half of the carer's allowance rate for certain people with another social welfare entitlement in line with the other payment increases announced by him in budget 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9453/07]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 600: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the increases available to persons of pension age in receipt of carer's allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9792/07]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 591 and 600 together.

In the Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007, which is currently before the Oireachtas, I have provided for new arrangements whereby people in receipt of a social welfare payment, who are also providing full time care and attention, will be able to 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. A person currently in receipt of a carer's allowance, who may have an underlying entitlement to another social welfare payment, will be able to transfer to that payment and receive up to a half rate carer's allowance.

These new arrangements will apply to almost all weekly social welfare payments including state pension contributory and non-contributory and to people in receipt of qualified adult allowances. Recipients of jobseeker's allowance or benefit will not be eligible for the new arrangements, given the nature of these payments. This is in line with the arrangements which currently apply to receipt of the respite care grant. It is estimated that approximately 18,000 carers will benefit from this measure at cost of some €57 million in a full year.

There are significant administrative issues which must be addressed before such a reform can be implemented. The new arrangements will apply from September 2007 and financial provision has been made on that basis. In Budget 2007 I increased the rates of carer's allowance so that the maximum rate for a person aged under 66 is now €200 per week, while the maximum rate for a person aged over 66 in receipt of carer's allowance is higher at €218 per week.

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.