Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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797. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person can apply to become a carer for two persons, for example, a husband and wife; the process, the criteria and the number of hours per week for two persons combined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12357/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Carer's Allowance is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that, as a result, they require that level of care.

In order to qualify, applicants must show that they are habitually resident in the State, that their means are less than the statutory limit, that they are providing full-time care and attention and that the person being cared for requires that level of care.

It is a condition for receipt of Carer's Allowance that the carer must be providing full-time care and attention and the time spent providing care each week must not be less than 35 hours per week over 5 to 7 days.

If a person wishes to apply for Carer’s Allowance for more than one person in their care, they should fully complete the application form for the first care recipient and they only need to complete Parts 1, 2 and 10 of the application form for the second care recipient. Both applications should be returned to: Carer's Allowance Section, SWSO, Ballinalee Road, Longford, N39 E4E0.

If the applicant meets the qualifying conditions for receipt of Carer's Allowance, they would be eligible for full rate in respect of the first care recipient and half rate for the second care recipient.

Carer's Allowance application forms can be found on www.gov.ie or through any Intreo Centre, Social Welfare Branch Office or Citizens Information Centre.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.