Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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281. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he will increase carers hours by one hour in line with part time contracts (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36850/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Carer's allowance 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. The time spent providing care each week must not be less than 35 hours per week over 5-7 days.

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. During this time of employment, education or training, adequate provision must be made for the care of the relevant person.

In Budget 2020, the hours threshold was increased from 15 to 18.5 hours per week. This measure was prioritised in response to carers who had stated that they found the previous number of 15 hours to be too restrictive.

In setting the relevant working hours thresholds, it is essential to balance the needs of the carer and the person to whom care is being provided. It is considered that the current 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. In effect, a carer can engage in employment, education or training for half of a full-time working week.

This Department acknowledges the crucial role that carers play in Irish society and is fully committed to supporting carers in that role. Any proposals for further changes to the hours threshold would have to be considered in a policy and budgetary context.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.