Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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98. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person currently receiving carer’s allowance and a child increase for two children will now be dropped down to half-rate carer’s allowance and their child increase taken away once they become in receipt of maternity benefit; if his Department can justify a reported net loss of €230 a week and €8,050 over the 35-week period while the individual is receiving the maternity benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7250/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I can assure the Deputy that the situation he describes of a person experiencing a net reduction in income from the Department will not arise. In fact, in the scenario set out the person concerned will receive an increase in total weekly payments from the Department.

The purpose of weekly payments made by the Department are to provide an income support for people experiencing specific contingencies that limit their ability to earn an income through employment. These contingencies include unemployment, illness, disability, and caring responsibilities as well as maternity leave.

In general, where a person experiences two or more contingencies at the same time, they receive one payment - the higher of the available payments.

One such exception is half-rate Carer’s Allowance where a person can retain half of their carers payment while also claim another full-time payment.

In the scenario raised by the Deputy, the carer may be eligible for the full weekly rate of Maternity Benefit currently at €289, as well as a Half-rate Carer’s Allowance at €130 assuming she is caring for one person.

In such circumstances, a carer would go from receiving a payment of €260 per week to receiving €419 per week. This is an increase per week of €159 or €5,565 over the 35-week period while they are receiving maternity benefit. There would be no decrease.

In addition, the carer retains their Child Support Payments. These are paid with Maternity Benefit, at a rate of €50 per week for any children under 12 or €62 per week for children 12 or over. They may also be entitled to an Increase for a Qualified Adult at a weekly rate of €162 for the duration of their maternity leave. She also would be entitled to the new-born grant and child benefit for three children. She would also receive the €2000 Carers Support Grant in June.

It is important to note that some employers will continue to pay an employee, in full, while the employee is on maternity leave - that is top up maternity benefit to the full rate of pay.

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.