44. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Social Protection whether he will consider reforming the Carer's Support Grant to provide for two qualifying dates and biannual payments or an alternative pro-rata entitlement for persons who commence or cease providing full-time care during the course of the year. [67619/26]

The Carer's Support Grant is an annual, non-means-tested payment of €2,000, paid in respect of each person being cared for.  The current arrangements are well established and provide carers with a substantial lump-sum payment of €2,000 in June of each year.  The grant was paid to approximately 147,000 carers on 4 June this year.

The Grant is paid automatically to people receiving Carer's Allowance, Carer's Benefit and Domiciliary Care Allowance.  Other carers who meet the qualifying conditions may apply directly for the grant.

The proposal to provide for two payment dates or a pro-rata entitlement would add considerable complexity to the scheme altering the nature of the grant as a single annual payment.  In addition, carers who do not receive the grant automatically could require reassessment during the year to confirm continuing eligibility.  A split-payment or pro-rata approach could also result in some carers receiving a lower payment in the year they commence caring.

I have no plans to alter the payment arrangements for the Carer's Support Grant at this time, but I thank the Deputy for his question.