Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chairman and I received his correspondence. In a means testing scenario, a person is allowed to work for 15 hours per week. This amendment would have increased the amount by approximately the value of the minimum wage, or €10; if a person is allowed to work an extra three and a half hours, the means test would have to be increased accordingly. In the case of a couple, for example, they might have €665 per week. This means that if a carer works more than 15 hours and earns a bit more money, it would be of limited use as it would come off the carer's allowance.