Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 237: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the projected savings that will be made by the budget 2012 decision to assess carer's allowance as income for the purposes of the family income supplement; the number of families that will be affected by this decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2063/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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1In assessing weekly family income for the purposes of the family income supplement (FIS) the value of primary social welfare payments is taken into account when means are assessed. This Budget measure relating to the inclusion of carer's benefit or carer's allowance payments in the income assessment for FIS is designed to bring the treatment of carer's allowance and carer's benefit into line with how other primary social welfare payments are assessed. The measure also provides for a more consistent approach to the concurrent payment of FIS with other social welfare payments. Furthermore, the measure reduces a person's secondary payment (FIS) without affecting their primary payment, therefore targeting available scarce resources at those in most need.

From January 2012, for new applicants and upon renewal for existing claimants, income from carer's allowance and carer's benefit payments will be included in the (FIS) income assessment. The measure will be implemented on a phased basis over 3 years with 1/3 of the income from carer's allowance and carer's benefit payments assessed in 2012, 2/3 in 2013 and full assessment in 2014.

At the time of the Budget announcement, and based upon full assessment from the out-set of income from carer's allowance, the savings from this budget measure were estimated at €0.5 million in 2012 and €1.06 million in 2013 and 2014. The updated projection of savings from the phased introduction has not yet been finalised but I expect the figures to be available shortly.