Leitrim families caring across border face carer’s allowance gap

Disparity between people living north of the border caring for their parents who are living just a few minutes south and cannot get Carer’s Allowance because their address is in the North was raised at a meeting of Leitrim County Council.

Cllr Pádraig Fallon proposed that the Council call on the Department of Social Protection to undertake an urgent and immediate review of the habitual residence clause for Carer’s Allowance.

“This clause impacts many in border counties where family and immediate family members are caring for loved ones and may only be living five minutes away albeit in another county,” Cllr Fallon’s motion stated.

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Cllr Fallon asked that, as well as the motion being sent to the Department of Social Protection, it also be forwarded to counties Louth, Cavan, Monaghan and Donegal.

He told members that he is aware of a case where an applicant for Carer’s Allowance met every one of the conditions but was turned down because they lived seven minutes away in Fermanagh.

“These family members would not be in their home without the care they receive. They’d be in a hospital costing the state tens of thousands per month. This is something that needs to be addressed; it will not cost significant funds,” Cllr Fallon said.

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