Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 October 2024
520. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection the full-year cost of paying two full rate carer’s allowances to an individual caring for two people, and a half-rate for third and subsequent individuals, as opposed to a half-rate for the second person, as it currently stands; if costs on those over and under the age of 66 can be given; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43062/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe primary objective of the Carer’s Allowance payment is to provide an income support to carers whose earning capacity is substantially reduced as a consequence of their caring responsibilities and in so doing to support the ongoing care of the person or people in respect of whom care is being provided. It is important to note that the Carer’s Allowance is not intended to be a compensatory payment for the full value of earnings foregone nor is it a payment by the State for the provision of care.
Where a carer is providing care to more than one person, the personal rate of Carer's Allowance payable is increased by a maximum of 50% of the standard personal rate. It is important to clarify that this 50% increase is not a Half-Rate Carer’s Allowance payment, but an exceptional increase in the standard personal rate.
The Half-Rate Carer’s Allowance payment differs in that it is available to those in receipt of particular social welfare payments who are also providing full-time care and attention. In these cases, a carer may retain their main, non-care-related payment, and receive another payment, depending on their means, the maximum of which is equivalent to a half-rate Carer’s Allowance.
The current weekly personal rates of Carer’s Allowance for those who are caring for two or more people are €372 for those aged under 66 and €429 for those aged 66 or over.
What the Deputy is effectively suggesting is the following:
• A payment rate of €496 per week for those aged 66 and under caring for 2 people, plus an additional €124 for those caring for 3 or more people, and
• A payment rate of €572 per week for those aged 66 and over caring for 2 or more people, plus an additional €143 for those caring for 3 more people.
The number of recipients currently caring for 2 or more people is 11,832 of whom:
• 11,265 are aged under 66, of whom 407 are caring for 3 or more care recipients.
• 567 are aged 66 years and over, of whom 4 are caring for 3 or more care recipients.
The costings requested by the Deputy are provided in tabular form below:-
|
Age Profile of Carers |
Additional Annual Cost |
|
Under 66 |
€75,261,056.00 |
|
Aged 66 and Over |
€4,245,956.00 |
It is important to note that costings are estimates based on current administrative data. They take no account of year-on-year increases in terms of recipients or increases in rates of payment.
The provision of further increased personal rates for those caring for 2 or more people, as proposed, while clearly having implications for overall spending, would also likely lead to implications for the rates of other weekly social welfare payments and as such could only be considered in an overall policy and Budgetary context.
I trust that this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
