Social Welfare Act, 1997

Carer's allowance — extension of entitlement.

23.—(1) Section 163 (as amended by section 12 of the Act of 1995) of the Principal Act is hereby amended by the insertion after subsection (1) of the following subsection:

“(1A) The Minister may make regulations specifying the circumstances and conditions under which a person is to be regarded as providing full-time care and attention to a relevant pensioner.”.

(2) Section 165 (as amended by section 16 of the Act of 1994) of the Principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution for subsection (1) of the following subsection:

“(1) Subject to this Act, the rate (in this Chapter referred to as ‘the scheduled rate’) of carer's allowance shall be—

(a) in the case of a person who is a carer of more than one relevant pensioner, the weekly rate set out in column (2) at reference 6 (a) in Part I of the Fourth Schedule,

(b) in any other case, the weekly rate set out in column (2) at reference 6 (b) in Part I of the Fourth Schedule, increased by the appropriate amount set out in column (4) of that Part opposite that reference in respect of each qualified child who normally resides with the beneficiary.”.

(3) This section shall come into operation on the 12th day of June, 1997.