Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
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619. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an assurance that carers will not be subject to further cuts in Budget 2014; that income supports will be protected for those in receipt of carer's allowance, carer's benefit and half rate carer's allowance in Budget 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37617/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Revised Estimates for the Department provide for expenditure of nearly €776 million in 2013 on income supports for carers. There were almost 58,000 recipients of carer’s allowance and carer’s benefit, and just over 25,200 people in receipt of domiciliary care allowance, at the end of July 2013.

In relation to the forthcoming Budget, the Deputy will be aware that the Expenditure Report 2013 published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform last December provides for additional new expenditure reduction measures of €440 million to be achieved in 2014 in the Department of Social Protection budget.

The Government have not made any decisions in relation to measures to be introduced in Budget 2014. The Government will finalise its consideration of the Budget in the coming weeks having regard to all of its commitments, including the commitment in the Programme for Government to maintain welfare rates. The outcome of this process will be announced on Budget Day.