Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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481. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will be made in relation to a domiciliary care allowance (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5535/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 27th September 2024.

It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 28th November 2024, and the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on documentary evidence presented or, if necessary, hold an oral hearing.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Shane Moynihan (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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482. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection whether or not carer's allowance is halted for those receiving maternity or parental leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5597/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The key role of the Department of Social Protection is that of income support for people experiencing specific contingencies that limit their ability to earn an income. These contingencies include unemployment, illness/disability and caring responsibilities. These payments reflect the fact that, people experiencing these contingencies cannot earn, or can earn only a limited employment income. The payments are accordingly intended to provide an income support to people who have no other means or resources to rely upon.

The Irish social welfare system is underpinned by a general principle of one person, one payment. Normally people qualifying for two social welfare payments only receive the higher payment for which they are eligible. However, there are a limited number of exceptions where a person may receive another payment. One such exception is the Half-Rate Carer’s Allowance payment.

This arrangement allows people in receipt of particular social welfare payments, who are providing full-time care and attention, to receive their main payment and retain another payment, depending on their means. The maximum of this second payment is equivalent to a half-rate Carer’s Allowance.

A carer, in the case suggested by the Deputy, may be eligible for payments by my Department of both the full weekly rate of Maternity or Paternity Benefit (currently at €289), as well as a Half-rate Carer’s Allowance - currently €130 for those aged under 66 and caring for one person. Therefore in such circumstances a carer goes from receiving a payment of €260 per week to €419 per week.

In addition, if the Maternity or Paternity Benefit recipient has adult or child dependants, they may also be entitled to an Increase for a Qualified Adult at a weekly rate of €162, along with Child Support Payments, paid at a rate of €50 per week for any children under 12 or €62 per week for children aged 12 or over. The set rate of Maternity or Paternity Benefit is compared to the rate of Illness Benefit that would be paid to them if they were absent from work through illness. The higher of the two rates is paid.

With regard to earnings from employment, it is important to note that some employers will continue to pay an employee, in full, while the employee is on maternity or paternity leave. In such cases, the Maternity or Paternity Benefit is mandated to the employer. An employee’s contract of employment will outline the employer’s agreed financial contribution to the employee while they are on maternity or parent’s leave.

I can assure the Deputy that I will keep the range of income supports provided by my department under constant review. However, any further changes to income supports provided could only be considered in an overall policy and Budgetary context.

I trust that this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.