Written answers

Tuesday, 13 November 2012

Department of Social Protection

Carer's Allowance Eligibility

Photo of Peadar TóibínPeadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider extending to 19.5 hours the number of hours a recipient of carer's allowance can work outside the home. [49846/12]

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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A fundamental qualification condition for carer’s allowance, carer’s benefit and the respite care grant is that the applicant provide full time care and attention to a person who needs such care. To support their social inclusion and continued attachment to the work force, carers may engage in some limited employment, education or training, while still being regarded as being in a position to provide full time care. From June 2006, the number of hours a person can engage in employment, self-employment, training or education outside the home and still satisfy the qualifying conditions, was increased from 10 to 15 hours per week.

There are no plans at present for a further increase in the hours as this could have a negative impact on the person in need of full time care and attention. The Department will continue to support carers and the people they care for within the resources available as set out in Government’s National Carers’ Strategy.

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