Written answers

Tuesday, 28 September 2021

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Departmental Policies

Photo of Carol NolanCarol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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505. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will provide €3 million in annual funding towards a dedicated carer’s pension for long-term family carers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46291/21]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Pensions Commission was established in November 2020 to examine sustainability and eligibility issues with the State Pension and the Social Insurance Fund, in fulfilment of a Programme for Government commitment. Its terms of reference included consideration of how long-term carers could be accommodated in the pension system. The Commission has now completed its report and submitted it to me for consideration. In accordance with its commitment in the Programme for Government, the Government will consider the recommendations of the Pensions Commission in the coming months.

Any decisions made by the Government arising from the report will be made within the overall budgetary context.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Photo of Carol NolanCarol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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506. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will increase the basic social welfare rate for the blind pension and disability allowance by €20 per week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46491/21]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that I will be considering a range of options for Budget 2022 over the coming weeks, taking account of available resources.

A series of evidence-based, targeted measures were introduced in the last two Budgets, to ensure the most vulnerable were protected. Many recipients of Disability Allowance and Blind Pension will have benefitted from these measures, which included an increase in the Living Alone Allowance of €10 per week, the Fuel Allowance bring increased by €5.50 per week, and increases to the weekly qualified child rates of €4 for children aged under 12, and €8 for those aged 12 and over.

In addition, the earnings disregard for both payments was increased by €20 per week, from €120 to €140, allowing recipients to earn more from employment or self-employment without their payment being affected.

To increase the weekly rate of Disability Allowance and the Blind Pension by €20 would cost an estimated €177 million in a full year. Any changes to the rate of payment for Disability Allowance or Blind Pension will be considered in an overall budgetary and policy context.

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