Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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185. To ask the Minister for Social Protection her plans to implement recommendations from the European Commission that Ireland should be paying carer's allowance to people paying their contributions here even if they reside in another EU state such as in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 who had to give up carer's allowance due to the State's refusal to pay it while the person is living in Spain. [41348/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Carer’s allowance is a means tested income support payment that seeks to assist full-time carers on low incomes living within the jurisdiction who satisfy the habitual residence condition and who are providing full time care and attention to a person in need of such care.

On 10th July 2014 the European Commission issued a reasoned opinion which called into question the restriction of carer’s allowance to persons who are habitually resident in the State. The basis of the Commission’s contention is that carer’s allowance is a sickness benefit paid in cash and that under Article 3(1) of the Regulation 883/2004 this payment should be exportable.

The Government does not accept the view of the European Commission on this issue and has responded accordingly.

I should clarify that where a carer has paid the necessary social insurance contributions, carer’s benefit payment is available and this payment is exportable.