Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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88. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the benefits and supports available for carers and if she will extend these; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8435/16]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Department provides a comprehensive range of income supports to carers including carer’s benefit, carer’s allowance, domiciliary care allowance and the annual carer’s support grant. The total expenditure on carers in 2016 is estimated at €912 million.

Carers also receive additional support in the form of free travel and household benefits (for those who live with the person for whom they care).

Persons in receipt of certain qualifying social welfare payments and who are also providing full time care and attention to another person can retain the main social welfare payment and receive the half-rate carer's allowance as well. They can also receive an extra half-rate carer’s allowance if they care for more than one person.

There is also provision for carers to engage in economic activity outside the home for up to 15 hours a week without any impact on their entitlement to a carer’s payment. This is to encourage and facilitate carers who wish to engage in economic activity outside the home environment, while still fulfilling their caring duties, to do so.