Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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84. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the benefits that are available to a person (details supplied) in County Meath who is a full-time carer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18127/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Carer's allowance is a social assistance payment, made to persons who are providing full time care and attention to elderly people or to people with disabilities and whose income falls below certain limits. The principal conditions for receipt of the allowance are that full-time care and attention is required and is being provided and that the means test is satisfied. The carer must not be working/self employed outside the home in excess of 15 hours per week. If the carer qualifies for carer's allowance they may also qualify for free household benefits (if carer is residing with the person being caring for) and a free travel pass. The household benefits package incorporates the electricity allowance, cash electricity allowance, natural gas allowance, cash gas allowance and the free television licence. This is a package of allowances which helps with the costs of running a household. Only one person in a household can qualify for the package at any time. Entitlement to carer’s allowance is determined by the completion and submission of an application form to carer’s allowance section, Social Welfare Services Office, Ballinalee Road, Longford.

The carer’s benefit scheme is a weekly income support payment. It is specifically intended to support people who must leave the workforce temporarily to care for someone who is in need of full-time care and attention. Entitlement to carer’s benefit is based on applicant satisfying medical, employment and PRSI contribution conditions. The maximum duration of the scheme is set at 104 weeks.

The respite care grant is an annual payment made to full-time carers who satisfy certain conditions. The grant is payable automatically to carers who are in receipt of carer’s allowance or benefit, domiciliary care allowance or prescribed relative allowance on the first Thursday in June of the relevant year. Carers who are not in receipt of one of the payments listed above should apply separately for a respite care grant.

If carer qualifies for carer's allowance, they may be awarded credits (credited PRSI contributions) for the period of caring. However, if a carer is not entitled to credits, they may qualify to have 'homemaking years' taken into account for State Pension (Contributory) purposes.

Further information on all of the above is available on the Department’s website .