Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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1124. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if grants are available to allow a person caring for an elderly relative to upgrade their car in cases in which they are solely responsible for driving the older person; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18739/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department provides a range of income supports for carers, with the combined spend on carers support schemes expected to exceed €1.4 billion in 2021. In addition, the Department operates a comprehensive free travel scheme covering all forms of public transport.

While accepting the bona fifes of the case made by the Deputy, the Department has no role in providing grant assistance towards the purchase or upgrade of a car and can not provide any assistance in this case.

I can assure the Deputy that I am very much aware of the key role that family carers play in our society and I will continue to keep the range of supports available to carers under review. However, any improvements or additions to these supports can only be considered in an overall budgetary context and in the light of available financial resources.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.