Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 119: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his views on a restructuring of the existing carer's allowance payment into two elements, a flat rate non means tested standard payment based on the needs of the person being cared for and a supplementary means tested payment, where the means are above a certain threshold; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27890/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Supporting and recognising carers in our society is, and has been, a priority of the Government since 1997. Over that period, weekly payment rates to carers have greatly increased, qualifying conditions for carer's allowance have significantly eased, coverage of the scheme has been extended and new schemes such as carer's benefit and the respite care grant have been introduced and extended.

The primary objective of the carer's allowance is to provide income support to low income carers. Carer's allowance, in line with other social assistance schemes, is means tested. This ensures scarce resources are directed at those in greatest need.

The carer's allowance means test is one of the more flexible tests in terms of the assessment of household incomes. The means test has been significantly eased over the years most notably with regard to spouse's earnings. Budget 2007 provided for an income disregard for a couple of €640 per week. This ensures a couple can earn in the region of €36,000 per annum and still receive the maximum rate of carer's allowance and the associated free travel and household benefits. This measure surpasses the Towards 2016 commitment to ensure those on average industrial earnings continue to qualify for a full carer's allowance.

In addition, the rates of carer's allowance have been increased to €200 per week for those aged under 66 and to €218 per week for those aged over 66.

The introduction of a universal payment, albeit with a means tested supplement, would have substantial cost implications. The view of some support and health organisations is that it would be much more beneficial to carers if additional resources were invested in the type of community care services which would support them in their caring role, such as additional respite care facilities, more home helps, public health nurses and other such services.

I will keep the supports for carers from my Department under review in order to continue to improve the schemes and ensure commitments on income support are delivered.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 120: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when arrears of rent support for the period 20 September 2007 to 20 October 2007 will be awarded in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28024/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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There are no arrears of rent supplement due in this case. All rent supplement due up to the end of October has been paid.

The Health Service Executive has advised that the person concerned was awarded a rent supplement from 20th September 2007 at a rate of €543.70 per month. It has further advised that the payment of €743.10 which issued to the person concerned on 26th October 2007 consisted of the rent supplement due for the eleven days from 20th September 2007 to 30th September 2007 and for the month of October 2007.

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The living alone allowance is an additional payment of €7.70 per week made to people aged 66 years or over who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments and who are living alone. It is also available to people who are under 66 years of age who are living alone and who receive payments under one of a n umber of invalidity type schemes. The increase is intended as a contribution towards the additional costs people face when they live alone. The payment was last increased in 1996.

The policy in relation to support for pensioners has been, for many years, to give priority to increasing the personal rates of pension rather than supplements like the living alone increase. The objective is to use resources to improve the position of all pensioners to the fullest extent possible rather than focusing on particular groups. This approach was continue d in Budget 2007 with increases of up to €16 and €18 per week granted on personal rates.