Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 July 2024
280. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection the position on the time limit for carer’s benefit; if changes to this time limit are being considered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27917/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government acknowledges the valuable role played by family carers and is fully committed to supporting carers in that role. This commitment is recognised in both the Programme for Government and the National Carers’ Strategy.
The main income supports to carers provided by my department are Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance and the Carer’s Support Grant. Spending on these payments is expected to amount to over €1.7 billion this year.
Carer's Benefit is a non-means tested payment made to insured people 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. Projected expenditure on Carer’s Benefit in 2024 is estimated at €57.9 million.
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).
It is also worth noting that the payment is aligned with Carer's Leave. While Carer's Leave is unpaid, a person maybe eligible for Carer's Benefit (or Carer's Allowance) and their job is kept open for when they return. In line with the statutory provisions Carer's Leave is payable for a maximum period of 104 weeks for each person being cared for and can be taken in one block or in separate periods as long as the combined total does not exceed 104 weeks. As the Carer's Benefit payment is aligned with the period for Carer's Leave, any proposals for change would also have to be considered by the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
It should be noted that not all those claiming Carer’s Benefit opt to remain in payment for the full 104 weeks. The average total number of weeks used by recipients per year from 2020 to 2023 was 71 weeks.
Where care is provided beyond the period of entitlement to Carer’s Benefit, the means tested Carer’s Allowance is available for those who are in need of income support.
I believe that the current arrangements ensure an efficient use of public funds while assisting those who need to take time out for caring and are in need of an income support.
Any increase to the current time limit would involve additional expenditure and could only be considered within a wider budgetary and policy context.
I trust that this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
