AQW 18120/22-27

Ms Kate Nicholl
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 13/11/2024
Answered On Date: 20/11/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy, pursuant to AQW 14548/22-27, to detail any work to assess the ongoing cost of not implementing an entitlement to paid carer's leave.

Answer:

According to Census 21, there are over 183,000 unpaid carers of working age in the north of Ireland. Of those, almost 14,000 work fewer than 15 hours per week and 30,000 work between 16 and 30 hours per week. There are 61,620 unpaid carers of working age who are unemployed. Of these unpaid carers, 16,670 reported as having never worked and 44,950 reported as unemployed.

High levels of economic inactivity undermine our economy and adversely impact the living standards of individuals. I am mindful that rates are particularly high for those with caring responsibilities, which can lead to some unpaid carers having to reduce their working hours, decline promotion opportunities or leave the workforce altogether.

Research undertaken by Queen’s University at the request of my Department reported that the majority of claimants of Carers' Benefits are female and of working age (65% female compared to 35% male in the case of Carer's Allowance). Of all claimants in this category, 70% were of working age.

A regulatory impact assessment of the cost of an unpaid entitlement to carer’s leave was published alongside the Good Jobs Employment Rights Bill consultation. The issue of cost implications, including the financial and societal benefits of a paid entitlement, continue to be explored by officials and the Ulster University Economic Policy Centre on behalf of my Department.