Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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824. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her Department has given consideration to introducing a young carer’s grant, similar to the one introduced in Scotland in 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12924/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Government acknowledges the important role played by family carers, including young carers, and is fully committed to supporting them in that role.

This commitment is recognised in both the Programme for Government and the National Carers’ Strategy. This cross-departmental strategy, led by the Department of Health, commits to supporting children and young people with caring responsibilities and to protect them from adverse impacts of caring. The Departments of Education, and of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and the HSE are tasked with actions such as raising awareness among education providers of young carers and identifying support services needed by young carers.

My department provides a comprehensive package of income supports for carers including Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance and the Carer’s Support Grant. Spending in 2023 is expected to amount to almost €1.6 billion on these payments.

The annual Carer’s Support Grant is available to family carers who provide full-time care and assistance regardless of means or social insurance contributions and may be paid to carers from the age of 16. This grant can be used for any purpose at the discretion of the carer, and it is not taxed. This is not available for any other grouping. In Budget 2021, I increased the Carer’s Support Grant by €150 to its current rate of €1,850. In addition, Carer’s Benefit payment may be applied for from the age of 16.

As the current system of grant payments does already recognise young carers, there are no plans to introduce an additional grant specifically for this group.

I can assure the Deputy that I am very aware of the commitment and challenges faced by young carers, and I will continue to keep the range of supports available to carers under review.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.