Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 February 2025
158. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Social Protection if there is additional support available for women on maternity leave who have been temporarily relegated to half-rate carer’s allowance, but for most of that period will be in a position to provide full-time care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3742/25]
View answer159. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Social Protection if there are plans to provide additional supports for women on maternity leave who have been relegated to half-rate carer’s allowance temporarily, but for most of that period will be in a position to provide full-time care, for example, additional child support payments, fuel allowances, and so on, given the additional income pressures they face; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3743/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 158 and 159 together.
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 half-rate Carer’s Allowance.
This arrangement allows people in receipt of particular social welfare payments, who are providing full-time care and attention, to retain their main payment and receive another payment, depending on their means, the maximum of which is equivalent to a half-rate Carer’s Allowance. A carer, in the case outlined by the Deputy, may be eligible for payment by my Department of both the full weekly rate of Maternity 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.
In addition, if the Maternity 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 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.
It is important to note that some employers will continue to pay an employee, in full, while the employee is on maternity leave. In such cases, the Maternity 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.
