Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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207. To ask the Minister for Social Protection in recognition of the facts that many persons being cared for by persons in receipt of carer's allowance, especially those with a disability, may also be in daily attendance at day care, health care or learning centres, and that the majority of the care is provided and received outside of daytime business hours, if she will consider making a small increase in the maximum number of hours a person in receipt of carer's allowance may work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26339/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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In order to qualify for carer’s allowance, the applicant must be providing full time care and attention to a person in need of such care.

The full-time care provision is moderated by permitting the carer to work or engage in education or training outside the home for up to 15 hours per week and still be considered to be providing full time care and attention.

This moderation of the full-time care provision represents a reasonable balance between meeting the requirement for providing full-time care for the care recipient and the needs of the carer to engage in employment or education. It also serves the additional purpose of reducing the social alienation experienced by many carers.

I have no plans to change the conditionality around the maximum hours at this time.