Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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225. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of a carer's allowance; and the number of these who are in receipt of a general practitioner card; the additional entitlements that a carer may be able to receive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28829/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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At the end of June 2015, carer’s allowance (CA) was in payment to 61,610 people, which included an increase for 37,429 qualified children.

If a person is getting certain social welfare (SW) payments and is also providing full-time care and attention to another person, they can keep their main SW payment and get a ½ rate CA as well.

If a person, who is providing full-time care and attention to another person, is being claimed as a qualified adult on their spouse’s, civil partner’s or cohabitant’s SW payment, they may be entitled to half-rate CA while their spouse, civil partner or cohabitant retains the increase in respect of them.

If a carer is providing care to more than one person, they may be entitled to an additional 50% of CA each week.

Two carers who are providing care on a part-time basis in an established pattern e.g. on alternate weeks, may also share a single CA payment and the annual RCG. A carer who is providing care on a part-time basis to someone who attends a residential institution, for example, every other week, may also be accommodated on the CA scheme. The carers in these scenarios must meet all the usual qualifying conditions for CA.

Recipients of CA may be entitled to a Respite Care Grant (RCG). The RCG is an annual payment made to full-time carers who satisfy certain conditions. RCG is payable automatically to carers who are in receipt of CA, Domiciliary Care Allowance or Prescribed Relative Allowance on the first Thursday in June of the relevant year. The grant is paid in advance and covers 52 weeks from the date of payment.

An additional allowance is payable when a carer is aged 66 and over and another when aged 80 or over. These are paid automatically by the Department.

An increase in CA may be payable for carers who ordinarily live on specified islands off the coast of Ireland and who are aged 66 and over.

A person on CA is entitled to a Free Travel pass in their own right and may have an entitlement to the Household Benefits package.

The matter of the number of carers who have a General Practitioner medical card is not within the remit of my Department and is a matter for the Minister of Health.