Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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152. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person on carer’s allowance cannot undertake a full-time online course, given they will be undertaking the course at home and will be on hand for all caring duties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26559/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Carer's allowance (CA) 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.

This is defined as requiring from another person, continual supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with normal bodily functions, or continual supervision in order to avoid danger to him or herself and that they are likely to require this level of care for at least twelve months.

The minimum hours condition for which a carer can be regarded as providing full-time care and attention is set out in legislation. A primary qualifying condition for CA is that the applicant provides full-time care and attention to a person in need of such care. However, in order to support a carer’s continued attachment to the workforce and to support broader social inclusion, carers may engage in some limited employment, including self-employment, education or training, of up to 18.5 hours per week, while still being regarded as being in a position to provide full-time care and continue to receive their full payment

Following Budget 2020, the CA rules were amended, increasing the number of hours a recipient can work, study or attend a training course, from 15 hours to 18.5 hours. It is considered the limit of 18.5 hours represents a reasonable balance between meeting the care recipient's requirement for full-time care and the carer's need to maintain contact with the workforce.

If there is a specific case that you would like my officials to examine, please provide me with the specific details.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.