Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Budget 2007 provided for new arrangements whereby people in receipt of a social welfare payment, other than carer's allowance or benefit, who are also providing someone with full-time care and attention, can retain their main welfare payment and receive a half rate carer's allowance. Similarly, people currently in receipt of a carer's allowance, who may have an underlying eligibility for another social welfare payment, can transfer to that other payment and continue to receive up to a half rate carer's allowance.

There is no specific review of the half rate carer's allowance taking place at present. However, as part of the Government's Comprehensive Review of Expenditure, all of the Department's schemes, including the half-rate carer's allowance, will be examined.

Question No. 90 withdrawn.