Conor Sheehan (Limerick City, Labour)
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275. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a full-time carer in receipt of carer’s allowance is only entitled to a maximum of three weeks leave over a 12-month period; if he will consider increasing the maximum leave entitlement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36725/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Government acknowledges the valuable role that family carers play and is fully committed to supporting carers in that role. The Department of Social Protection provides a range of income supports to carers, including Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance, and the Carer’s Support Grant, with combined spending estimated at over €1.9 billion in 2025.

The main objective of these payments is to support individuals whose ability to earn is significantly reduced due to their caring responsibilities, ensuring the ongoing care of those in need. Carer's Allowance is an income support payment. It is not, and was never intended to be, a wage for caring, and as such, the question of a leave entitlement does not arise.

To qualify for Carer’s Allowance, a person must provide full-time care and attention, this is defined as at least 35 hours of care, across at least five days in a period of seven consecutive days.

However, Regulations provide that carers may be absent from the State, on holiday, for up to three weeks in any calendar year without this affecting their Carer’s Allowance payment. During this time, alternative care arrangements must be in place.

There are no plans to change these arrangements at present.

I trust that this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.