Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider reviewing the situation where carers who are not living with the person they are caring for are ineligible for telephone allowance, in view of the fact that there is an increased need to contact the person they are caring for in this situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16943/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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My Department provides a number of supports to carers. The two main weekly income support payments are the means tested carer’s allowance (including half-rate carer’s allowance) paid to almost 54,000 people and the PRSI based carer’s benefit paid to almost 1,700 people.

In addition to these payments, non-resident carers continue to be entitled to the annual respite care grant and free travel. The income disregard and means test for carers is the most generous within the social welfare system. A couple under 66 with two children, earning a joint annual income of up to €35,400 can qualify for maximum payment carer’s allowance which such a couple earning €59,300 will still qualify for the minimum rate.

I have no plans to review the provision of household benefits, including the telephone allowance, for carers who are not living with the person for whom they provide care. For those who do reside with the person being cared for, the person being cared for is likely to already have an entitlement of their own to household benefits. Approximately 31,000 carers receive a household benefits package.