Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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1001. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will consider extending carer’s leave to support carers who left work to care for a loved one given the added difficulties (details supplied) due to Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15058/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Government acknowledges the important 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.

My colleague, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has policy responsibility for leave from employment including carer's leave, maternity leave, parental leave and force majeure leave.  The issue of extending carer’s leave is a matter for that Department.

My Department provides a range of supports to those who are caring for family members, friends or neighbours.  These measures aim to recognise the needs of carers through the provision of appropriate income supports, to enable carers to remain in touch with the labour market to the greatest extent possible and to empower carers to participate fully in economic and social life.

These income supports include the following:

- Carer’s Allowance

- Carer’s Benefit

- Carer’s Support Grant

- Domiciliary Care Allowance

Carer's leave from employment is unpaid but the Carer's Leave Act ensures that people who need to avail of carer's leave will have their jobs kept open for them while they are on carer's leave.  They may be eligible for Carer's Benefit if they have the required number of PRSI contributions or they may qualify for Carer's Allowance, which is means-tested, while they are on carer's leave.  

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.