Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 1339: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will amend the qualifying criteria for the respite care grant in order to include carers who provided care for part or nearly all of the 12 months up to the first Thursday in June 2008; and if she will make provision to allow for the payment of a partial or pro-rata grant. [30732/08]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 1340: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her plans to issue a respite care grant to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo in view of the fact that the care only ceased six to seven days prior to the first Thursday in June 2008. [30733/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1339 and 1340 together.

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.

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. A carer who is caring for two or more people is entitled to a full grant for each of the care recipients. The rate of the grant increased to €1,700 per year from June 2008.

In order to qualify for the respite care grant, the applicant must be providing, or likely to provide, full-time care and attention to a person who needs such care for a period of six months and be providing that care on the specified date in June of the relevant year. There are no provisions to allow for payment of a partial grant where a person provides care for part of the year, excluding the June date. Unfortunately, the person concerned did not satisfy the condition regarding the payment date and, therefore, no respite care grant is payable in this case. While, all payments to carers will continue to be kept under review there are no plans at present to introduce a pro rata respite care grant.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 1341: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the way in which the rate of jobseeker's allowance was calculated in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo in view of the fact that they no means from self-employment. [30737/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Under Social Welfare legislation decisions in relation to claims must be made by Deciding Officers and Appeals Officers. These officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in regard to making such decisions. No decision has been made in relation to the amount of jobseeker's allowance that may be payable in this case. The person concerned applied for a jobseeker's benefit payment on 21 July 2008. He was awarded jobseeker's benefit at the weekly rate of €222.00 from 21 July 2008. He may be entitled to jobseeker's allowance at a higher rate and accordingly he was invited to apply for the allowance. That claim is currently with a Social Welfare Inspector for investigation. On completion of enquiries the claim will be forwarded to the Social Welfare Local Office for decision and he will be notified of the outcome.

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 1342: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she has plans to re-introduce the pre-retirement allowance; if she has plans to introduce a similar payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30799/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The pre-retirement allowance (PRETA) was discontinued for new applicants from 4th July, 2007, while people who had already been receiving this allowance can continue to receive it as long as they satisfy the conditions for payment. People who would have been eligible for PRETA can continue to receive the jobseekers allowance, which is paid at the same rate as PRETA.

Given the need to ensure the sustainability of the social welfare system in the light of the demographic challenges that lie ahead, the system is being reformed to encourage and facilitate people to continue to work up to pension age, and if they so choose beyond that age. These reforms are in line with the process of modernising social protection systems taking place internationally. In the circumstances, I have no plans to re-introduce this allowance.