Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 223: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will give an assurance that carer's allowance will not be cut further in the upcoming budget. [30079/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Estimate for my Department in 2011 provides for expenditure of over €762 million on carer's allowance (including half rate carer's allowance), carer's benefit, domiciliary care allowance and respite care grant schemes. Recipients of carer's allowance may also be entitled to the household benefits package and free travel.

Sustainable public finances are a prerequisite for maintaining an adequate system of social protection as well as achieving future economic stability and growth. The appropriate level of overall expenditure by my Department in the years ahead will be considered in the context of Budget 2012 and subsequent Budgets.