Nicky McFadden (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Social Protection if the current half rate carer's allowance will remain unchanged; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37786/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

There are almost 52,000 people in receipt of carer’s allowance from my Department at an annual cost of over €500 million. Of these, over 22,000 are getting half rate carer’s allowance in addition to another social welfare payment at an annual cost of some €90 million.

In Budget 2012, the basic rate of carer’s allowance and the respite care grant were not reduced. The means test for carer’s allowance is one of the most generous means tests in the social welfare system. The income disregard is €332.50 per week for a single person and €665 per week for a couple. A couple with two children can earn up to €35,400 and qualify for the maximum rate of carer’s allowance, as well as the household benefits package and free travel.

In the current economic climate every scheme in my Department must be kept under review, particularly payments that are additional to a primary weekly payment. As part of the deliberative process for the next Budget, my Department will analyse, in so far as possible, the distributive and poverty impact of possible social welfare changes. These impacts will be taken into account in arriving at the final decisions on the Budget. No decisions have been made at this stage in relation to welfare expenditure for next year.