Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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1437. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to increase the length of carer's leave for persons caring for children in view of the fact the length of leave has not been reviewed for in excess of ten years. [15739/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Carer’s Benefit scheme provides income support to full-time carers who leave the work-force temporarily to provide full-time care and thereby assist in maintaining care recipients in the community. This, and other care-related supports, such as the carer’s allowance payment and the carer’s support grant provide recognition and support for the valuable role of carers.

The duration of carer’s benefit is aligned with the duration of carer’s leave, available under the Carer’s Leave Act, 2001. The Department of Justice and Equality have responsibility for policy in relation the Carer’s Leave Act. A carer providing full-time care and attention to a person requiring such care is not required to be in receipt of carer’s benefit or carer’s allowance to qualify for carer’s leave.

The 104 week duration represents a reasonable length of time to support a carer’s temporary absence from work and there are no plans currently to increase the duration of carer’s leave or benefit. Carers may work and engage in training for an aggregate of 15 hours per week and continue to be regarded as providing full-time care and attention.

Where care is provided beyond the period of entitlement to carers benefit, the means tested carer’s allowance is available for those who are in need of income support. There may also be an entitlement to carers support grant if the conditions are met. These arrangements ensure an efficient use of public funds while assisting those who are in most need of an income support.

The Programme for Partnership Government commits the Government to increase paid parental leave in the first year of a child's life. An inter-departmental working group has been established, chaired by the Department of Justice and Equality, which is examining options for delivering on this commitment. The working group will report on its work shortly.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.