Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 October 2024
490. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection if any financial supports are available from her Department to those who are considered young carers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42614/24]
View answerThe Government acknowledges the important role played by family carers, including young carers, and is fully committed to supporting them in that role. This commitment is recognised in both the Programme for Government and the National Carers’ Strategy.
Both the Carer’s Benefit and the Carer’s Support Grant are available to young carers in need of financial support.
Carer's Benefit is a non-means tested payment made to insured people, aged 16 and over, who may be required to leave the workforce, or reduce their working hours, to care for someone in need of full-time care and attention. A person may be eligible for Carer's Benefit if they have sufficient PRSI contributions. The payment is payable for a period of 2 years (104 weeks) for each care recipient and may be claimed over separate periods up to a total of 2 years (104 weeks).
While Carer’s Benefit is not a means-tested payment, it is subject to an earnings limit. The earnings limit is in line with the income disregard (single) for the Carer's Allowance payment. The current earnings limit is €450 per week (after tax). As part of Budget 2025, Carer’s Benefit will be extended to the self-employed for the first time and the earnings limit will be increased from €450 to €625, after tax.
As part of Budget 2025, a €12 increase in the weekly rate of Carer’s Benefit will take effect from January. This is the fourth successive rise in weekly welfare rates under this Government. Rates have increased by €41.00 over the last 4 years.
The Carer’s Support Grant is a payment for all carers aged 16 and over, even those not in receipt of a carer's payment from my department. It can be claimed by carers regardless of their means or social insurance contributions. It is paid in respect of each care recipient. Over 132,000 carers received the grant this June at a cost of €275 million.
As part of Budget 2025, the Carer’s Support Grant will increase by a further €150 to €2,000, bringing it to its highest ever rate.
Over the last number of Budgets, there have been a suite of once-off lump sum and double payments to assist carers with the cost of living and rising bills. More recently as part of Budget 2025, I made the following changes that will directly benefit carers, including young carers:
• A €400 cost of living lump sum payment for carers eligible for the Carer’s Support Grant will be paid in November.
• In October a cost of living bonus will be paid to most people who get a long term weekly social welfare payment including carers.
• A Christmas Bonus will be paid to over 1.3 million long term welfare recipients including carers.
Under the Dormant Accounts Fund Action Plan 2024, my Department introduced a measure to support Family Carers, including Young Carers, to access employment and/or training and education supports to improve their current and future employment outcomes. The focus of this measure is on improving the future employment prospects of young carers through schools/educational settings-related initiatives. Funding of €2.5 million has been allocated for this purpose.
I can assure the Deputy that I will continue to keep the range of supports available to all carers including young carers under review, and further changes will only be made in consultation with family carers and their representative organisations.
