'This person will not be able to stay at home without that care' - Leitrim carer denied carer's allowance

An individual in Fermanagh living seven minutes from their family home in Leitrim where they care for an elderly relative can't get the Carer's Allowance due to the "habitual residence clause for Carer’s Allowance", a Leitrim councillor told a meeting in Carrick-on-Shannon this week. 

He was speaking after reading a response from Minister Dara Calleary, Minister for Social Protection on the matter, which he described as "taking a step backwards" and "disappointing".

Cllr Pádraig Fallon had raised the issue previously, that people living north of the border caring for their parents who are living just a few minutes south cannot get Carer’s Allowance because their address is in the North and had asked that the council to call on the Department of Social Protection to undertake an urgent and immediate review of the habitual residence clause for Carer’s Allowance.

READ MORE: Leitrim families caring across border face carer’s allowance gap

Cllr Fallon continued that Minister Calleary said in his response that "it would have budget implications and implications for other social protection schemes". 

However, Cllr Fallon went on to say that there are only three people in the country who are impacted by the clause. 

He said: "This person will not be able to stay at home without that care" and asked that the council write back to Minister Callerary and "ask him expedite the matter and I don't believe there is any issue with budgets because there are only three cases."