Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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There are a number of basic principles which underpin the Irish social insurance system, one of which is the general principle of one person, one payment. Generally, people qualifying for two social welfare payments receive the higher payment for which they are eligible.

There are a limited number of exceptions in the social insurance system to the general principle of one person, one payment. For example, people in receipt of certain social welfare payments other than Carer’s Allowance or Benefit who are providing full-time care and attention can retain their main payment and receive another payment, depending on their means, the maximum of which is equivalent to a half-rate Carer’s Allowance.

Therefore, a person who may have an underlying entitlement to another social welfare payment, such as the State Pension Contributory, can transfer to that payment and continue to receive up to a half-rate Carer’s Allowance. These arrangements apply to almost all weekly social welfare payments and to people in receipt of qualified adult allowances. Recipients of Jobseeker’s Allowance or Benefit are not eligible given the job seeking nature of these payments.

I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.