79. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the carer's allowance scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2706/16]

In general, a person cannot qualify for more than one social welfare payment simultaneously. The main exception is carer’s allowance (CA), which is paid at half-rate when a person who has an underlying entitlement to CA is also in receipt of another social welfare payment or where an increase is being claimed in respect of that person on their spouse, civil partner or cohabitant’s social welfare payment (IQA).

In this specific case, the spouse of the person concerned is being paid an IQA of €209.00 per week in respect of the person concerned on his State Pension Contributory (SPC). It is open to the person concerned to request to be paid a full-rate CA but that would not be financially advantageous to the couple because the IQA would have to cease. To receive full-rate CA in place of IQA on the spouse's SPC would result in a net loss to the couple of €88 per week. Consequently, the Department advises that the person remain in receipt of half-rate CA along with the IQA on her spouse's pension.