Written answers

Tuesday, 30 June 2020

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Carer's Allowance

Photo of Richard Boyd BarrettRichard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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864. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of carer's allowance recipients; the number in receipt of the half and full rate, respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13645/20]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Carer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.

Where a carer is in receipt of a social welfare payment (other than jobseeker payments or supplementary welfare allowance) or is being claimed as a qualified adult on their spouse’s, civil partner’s or cohabitant’s social welfare payment, and also qualifies for CA, the allowance is paid at up to half the normal rate.

I can advise the Deputy that as of 31st May 2020 there were 87,270 customers in receipt of Carer's Allowance. Of these -

- 47,882 customers were in receipt of the full rate Carer's Allowance.

- 39,388 customers were in receipt of the half rate Carer's Allowance.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Photo of Richard Boyd BarrettRichard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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865. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will make a substantial reward payment to those in receipt of the carer's allowance in view of the contribution they are making in the Covid-19 crisis while those in their care were unable to attend day care centres and so on; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13646/20]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Government acknowledges the crucial role that family carers play and is fully committed to supporting carers in that role.  This commitment is recognised in both the Programme for Government and the National Carers’ Strategy.

The main income supports to carers provided by my Department are Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit and the Carer’s Support Grant.  The projected expenditure on Carer’s Allowance in 2020 is approximately €919 million.  Combined spending on the above payments to carers in 2020 is expected to exceed €1.3 billion. 

In responding to the current COVID-19 crisis, the Department has made urgent special provisions for those, including carers, who may be most vulnerable and negatively affected at this time, that is, those who have been diagnosed with COVID-19, have been medically certified to self-isolate and those who have lost their jobs and whose incomes have reduced as a result of the pandemic.

To ensure that the most vulnerable groups are provided for, my Department  introduced the following short-term emergency payments - the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment and COVID-19 Enhanced Illness Benefit.  Both of these temporary measures allow payments to be made with certain other social welfare payments including Carer’s Allowance or Carer’s Benefit.  In effect, a carer whose work ceases as a result of COVID-19 and whose situation qualifies them for one of these payments will get them along with their current carer income support whether Carer’s Allowance or Carer’s Benefit.

Despite the substantial extra financial demands due to the COVID-19 crisis, I announced that the Carer’s Support Grant would continue to be paid to carers this year at an estimated cost of over €237 million. The annual grant of €1,700 is available to all carers providing full-time care to an older person or a person with a disability, regardless of their means or social insurance contributions.  This award can be used for any purpose at the discretion of the carer and it is not taxed.  Other people who are not in receipt of a social welfare payment but who are providing full time care and attention to someone who requires that level of care are also eligible and can apply for a grant.

On Thursday 4 June, 125,000 grants were paid automatically to 114,000 people receiving Carer's Allowance, Carer’s Benefit and Domiciliary Care Allowance.  Some 11,000 carers who are providing care for two or more people received a grant in respect of each person they are caring for.  The grant is paid in respect of each person being cared for to take account of the additional cost of providing care and to recognise the particular challenges faced by these carers.

The Deputy will be aware that payments made by my Department are set out in legislation or administrative guidelines.  There is no provision to make the type of payment outlined by the Deputy.

Finally, I  have no plans to introduce additional income supports for carers at this time.  However, I can assure the Deputy that I am very aware of the key role carers play in society and the particular challenges they face in light of Covid-19 and I will continue to keep the range of supports available to carers under review.  Any improvements or additions to these supports can only be considered in a budgetary context and in the light of available financial resources. 

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy. 

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