Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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57. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person receiving the benefit payment for 65-year-olds is precluded from receiving the carer’s benefit; if receipt of the same benefit payment precludes persons from receiving other welfare payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6041/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Benefit Payment for 65-Year-Olds was introduced in early 2021 in line with the Programme for Government commitment, to address the position of people who are 65 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.

The underlying statutory basis of this benefit is provided for under Jobseeker's Benefit. There are a number of exemptions in place for recipients of Benefit Payment for 65-Year-Olds including that they are not required to be available for full-time work, to be genuinely seeking work and they are not required to sign on. Recipients are exempt from participating in activation unless they choose to engage and can also participate in a course of education while retaining their full payment entitlements.

The objectives of the Jobseeker schemes and Carer schemes are not compatible. The primary objective of Carer's Benefit is to provide an income support to carers whose earning capacity is substantially reduced as a consequence of their caring responsibilities and in so doing to support the ongoing care of the person in respect of whom care is being provided.

The payment of Benefit Payment for 65-Year-Olds with Carer's Benefit is not permitted under the legislative provisions in place.

I trust that this clarifies the matter.