Duncan Smith
Question:644. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application (details supplied) for carer’s leave benefit can be granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17102/26]
View answerTuesday, 3 March 2026
Questions (644)
Written answers
Carer's Benefit is a payment made to insured people who leave the workforce or reduce their working hours to care for a child or an adult in need of full-time care and attention.
Under the provisions of the legislation, to be eligible to claim Carer's Benefit, a person must have been in remunerative full time employment for a minimum of 16 hours in the week, or 32 hours in the fortnight, for eight weeks out of the previous 26 week period immediately prior to the first day on which a claim is made.
An application was received from the person concerned on 04 February 2026 and the claim was disallowed as the person did not satisfy the employment conditions for the scheme. The person applied for Carer's Benefit to commence on 04 March 2026, therefore the 26 week period commences from 03 September 2025. However, as the person is in receipt of Illness Benefit since 13 October 2025, they do not satisfy this employment condition.
Correspondence issued to the person on 12 February 2026 regarding the decision to disallow the claim and of their right of review and appeal. This letter also advised of a possible entitlement to Carer's Allowance which is not a contribution based scheme.
The Carer's Leave Act 2001 allows employees to leave their employment temporarily to provide care for someone in need of full-time care and attention. This Department is required to determine a person's entitlement to Carer's Leave by assessing whether the proposed care recipient is deemed to be a relevant person in need of full time care and attention. The person concerned was notified of their entitlement to Carer's Leave on 12 February 2026.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.