Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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31. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider extending the grace period during which carer’s allowance is paid to a carer following the death of the caree; if she will consider introducing an additional grace period during which carer’s allowance will continue to be paid to a carer upon the cared-for person entering long-term residential care. [36223/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The current position whereby Carers Allowance is retained for 6 weeks following the death of the care recipient is consistent with the approach taken by the Department in relation to payment after death across other schemes, such as the State Pension.

The period gives a reasonable time for the carer to apply to the Department for other benefits to which they might be entitled or, where a person returns to employment, to rearrange their financial affairs.

There are no plans to increase the grace period at this time or extend it to other circumstances.