Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 25: To ask the Minister for Social Protection her views on the importance of the role played by the half rate carer's allowance; her further views that were this to be cut many family carers would have no choice but to relinquish their caring duties to the State resulting in a potential cost to the Exchequer four times the size of any social protection savings made. [36252/11]

Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 28: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will protect the half payment to carers already in receipt of a social welfare payment as a recognition of the role they play in assisting the State in the care of the most vulnerable in our society; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36208/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 25 and 28 together.

I am very conscious of the needs of people on social welfare and fully appreciate that a wide range of groups depend solely on their welfare payments. As we approach a very tough Budget in December, I will be doing my utmost to protect the most vulnerable people in our society, including carers. Sustainable public finances are a pre-requisite for maintaining an adequate system of social protection as well as for achieving future economic stability and growth. For these reasons, the State must pursue a determined deficit reduction strategy. Accordingly, there will be an on-going requirement to curtail expenditure and prioritise resources in my Department (as will be the case in all other Departments) in 2012 and in later years.

My Department will spend over €650 million this year on carers across a number of schemes. There are currently 51,600 people in receipt of carers allowance from my Department; of these, almost 22,000 are getting half-rate carer's allowance in addition to another social welfare payment. The means test for carers allowance has been significantly eased over the years, and is now one of the most generous means tests in the social welfare system, most notably with regard to spouse's earnings. Since April 2008, the income disregard has been €332.50 per week for a single person and €665 per week for a couple. This means that a couple with two children can earn in the region of €35,400 and qualify for the maximum rate of carers allowance as well as the associated free travel and household benefits.

This Government's policy is to support people to live in dignity and independence in their own homes and communities as far as possible. In the case of people being cared for at home, the care they receive is usually a balance of support from family and professional help. My Department provides income supports for family carers while the Department of Health and Children and the HSE provides professional support. No final decisions have been made to date in relation to welfare expenditure next year, including in carers allowance. These decisions will be made, after full consideration, by the Government and will be announced on Budget day.