Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 April 2026
67. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of people who transferred from carer’s benefit to carer’s allowance for each of the last four years; if his Department has any plans to make this transition easier; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31337/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer’s Benefit is a payment to insured people who leave their employment or reduce their working hours to care for a person in need of full-time care and attention. It can be paid for a period of 2 years (104 weeks) for each person being cared for and may be claimed over separate periods up to a total of 2 years (104 weeks).
Carer's allowance is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.
The number of recipients who transitioned from Carer’s Benefit to Carer’s Allowance within the same or following year is outlined below.
|
Year |
Carer's Benefit to Carer's Allowance |
|
2022 |
1,190 |
|
2023 |
1,248 |
|
2024 |
1,663 |
|
2025 |
1,123 |
|
2026 |
115 |
When a claim for Carer’s Benefit is awarded, the customer is notified that when their entitlement to Carer’s Benefit is exhausted it is open to them to make an application for Carer’s Allowance.
If the Deputy has a specific case you would like my officials to examine, I encourage you to forward the details for consideration.
