Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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270. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person (details supplied) is entitled to the carer’s grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5958/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Carers Support Grant is an annual payment for carers who look after a person in need of full-time care and attention.  The payment is made regardless of the carer's means but is subject to certain qualifying conditions.

The primary purpose of Carer’s payments is to support carers whose earning capacity is significantly reduced as a consequence of their caring commitments. The payments are premised on the provision of full-time care and attention (with the provision of allowing carers to engage in training, education or work for up to 18.5 hours per week) and in so doing to support the ongoing care of the person in respect of whom care is being provided for. Recipients of Jobseeker’s Allowance or Benefit are not eligible for Carer’s Payments.

I introduced the Benefit Payment for 65 Year Olds, following my appointment as Minister for Social Protection, to provide an income support to people who are 65, who were in employment and who are required to, or who choose to, retire at age 65, but who do not qualify for the State Pension until they reach age 66. This scheme was introduced to address a specific concern raised on behalf of people in this very defined circumstance.  As initiated, the Benefit Payment for 65 Year Olds, was intended to provide a payment to people who would otherwise be in employment.  The payment is provided for under jobseeker's legislation and as such is not currently compatible with the Carer’s Support Grant legislation. 

However, as part of the landmark reform of the State Pension System in Ireland I am pleased that Government  supported my proposal to explore the introduction of supports for people who for various reasons cannot continue working into their early 60s.  Officials of the Department are currently considering the design of such a scheme, taking on board all the learning gained from the introduction of the Benefit Payment for 65 year olds, including issues such as that raised by the Deputy.