63. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) has an entitlement to carer's benefit from their current or previous PRSI contributions. [37988/24]

Carer's Benefit is a payment made to insured people who leave the workforce or reduce their working hours to care for a child or an adult in need of full-time care and attention.

To qualify, the carer must satisfy PRSI conditions; employment conditions; show that they are providing full-time care and attention; and show that the care recipient requires full-time care and attention.

The legislative provisions for Carer's Benefit require a person to have been in remunerative full time employment for a minimum of 16 hours in the week, or 32 hours in the fortnight, for eight weeks out of the previous 26 week relevant period which is immediately prior to the first day on which a claim is made.

Only PRSI contributions paid at classes A,B,C,D,E and H are reckonable for Carer’s Benefit. PRSI Class “S” contributions are not qualifying contributions for the purpose of Carer’s Benefit.

This condition requires a person to have 156 PRSI contributions paid since entry into insurance and either

• 39 contributions paid in the "Relevant Tax year" which would be for this year - 2022.

or

• 39 contributions paid in the 12 months immediately before the commencement of the Carer's Benefit claim

or

• 26 contributions paid in the "Relevant Tax year" and 26 contributions paid in the previous "Relevant Tax year".

The person concerned has only has 1 paid qualifying PRSI contribution in 2022 and 1 paid qualifying PRSI contribution in 2023.

Where a person is unable to satisfy the conditions of the Carer’s Benefit payment, the means tested Carer’s Allowance is available for those who are in need of income support.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.