Report calls for change in support for carers

RADICAL changes to the way the State supports carers will be called for today at the launch of a study that shows many family carers receive little or no official recognition.

Among the recommendations in the 130-page report are higher welfare payments, more flexible working arrangements for part-time carers, the scrapping of the means test and the removal of red tape blocking access to benefits.

Minster for Social and Family Affairs Seamus Brennan has signalled his broad support for the findings by agreeing to formally launch the report compiled by the Equality Authority.

A spokesman for Mr Brennan said last night the minister had already made his views known in the Budget when he introduced a range of improvements for carers, including an increase in the top rate of carer’s allowance to €200, the highest of all welfare payments.

“The minister accepts it is still not enough but he would feel he made a statement about his priorities with these changes,” the spokesman said.

“It is something he wants to build on.”

The report found that while there are around 150,000 people caring long-term for elderly, ill or disabled family members and friends, only 25,500 of them receive the weekly carer’s allowance or carer’s benefit payments.

This is despite the finding that half the population will have caring responsibilities at some stage of their life and that over half of carers provide at least 14 hours unpaid care per week and over a quarter provide 43 or more hours.

Some 67% of refused carer’s allowance claims were refused because welfare officials said the person receiving care did not need full-time care. However, a carer trying to provide part-time care is automatically excluded if they have just 10 hours a week paid employment outside of their caring duties.

Recommendations in the report include:

Flexible working arrangements so that workers can avail of carer’s eave and fit in caring duties with their jobs.

Better income supports to pay carers for the work they do and make up for income lost from outside employment.

Needs assessments for carers so they can avail of home supports and community care programmes.

A legal definition of a carer.