Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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632. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his plans to include carer's allowance as income as part of the Rebuilding Ireland home loan. [9003/19]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan is not, as a general rule, available to those in receipt of unemployment or other social welfare benefits. However, where there is a primary income of a waged or salaried nature, long-term State benefit payments may be considered. State benefit payments allowable are:

- State Pension (Contributory);

- State pension (Non-Contributory);

- Widow’s/Widower’s Pension;

- Blind Pension;

- Invalidity Pension; and

- Disability Allowance.

The long-term nature of the payment must be confirmed by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. All applications are dealt with on a case-by-case basis and are referred to the relevant local authority's Credit Committee for a final decision.

As Carer's Allowance does not fall within this category of long-term payment, I have no plans to alter the conditions of the scheme in the manner outlined by the Deputy.