Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 113: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when the national carer's strategy will be launched and implemented. [20189/11]

Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 114: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the half-rate carer's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20190/11]

Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 115: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the carer's grant; and the amounts to be paid to carers. [20191/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 113 to 115, inclusive, together.

The Government is committed in the Programme for Government to developing a carers' strategy. It will consider how best to progress the development of the strategy, taking into account the prevailing economic realities and the work that was carried out previously. The Department of the Taoiseach chaired an interdepartmental group in 2008 which undertook work, to develop a National Carers' Strategy. The Departments of Finance, Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Health and Children, and Social and Family Affairs, as well as the Health Services Executive (HSE) and FÁS were represented on the group.

As my Department is responsible for providing income supports for carers, it will of course have a role in developing and implementing a strategy. However many of the issues of most concern to carers are the responsibility of other Departments, in particular the Department of Health. As the strategy has not yet been developed it is not possible at this time to give any estimation as to the plans for implementation, however it will have to be developed within existing available resources. In developing and implementing the strategy, the Government will take account of our IMF and EU commitments, as well the outcomes of the comprehensive review of expenditure currently being undertaken by each Department.

Despite the cuts experienced by carers under 66 in the last two budgets, over the last decade weekly payment rates to carers have greatly increased and the qualifying conditions for the schemes have been eased. The rate of carer's allowance for those over 66 years of age did not change in the last Budget and remain at €239. The current rate of carer's allowance for someone under 66 is €204.

There are currently 51,100 people getting a carer's allowance payment from the Department. This includes 21,500 who are receiving a half-rate carer's allowance in addition to another social welfare payment. This allowance was introduced in September 2007 following commitments given in "Towards 2016" and recommendations made by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social and Family Affairs Report on the Position of Full-Time Carers. Recipients of all weekly welfare payments, other than jobseeker's benefit/assistance and supplementary welfare allowance, are eligible to receive a half-rate payment if they are providing full time care and attention. All qualified adults are also eligible to receive the payment, including jobseeker's qualified adults.

There are also 1,700 people in receipt of carer's benefit. Carer's benefit was introduced in October 2000. It is a payment for people who have made social insurance contributions and who have recently left the workforce and are looking after somebody in need of full-time care and attention. In addition over 17,000 people who are not in receipt of a carer's allowance or benefit payment received the annual respite care grant of €1,700 in June. The respite care grant was introduced in June 1999. It is an annual payment for full-time carers who look after certain people in need of full-time care and attention. The payment is made regardless of the carer's means but is subject to certain conditions.