Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I will come back in on that. As regards the carer's allowance, the Department needs a lead-in time to undertake reviews of the means test and to contact people whose payment might be affected to give them the opportunity to update the means data the Department has on them. Basically, while we can change the IT systems quickly, we have to apply the changes to every individual claim and we need to contact all of the recipients, of whom there are approximately 100,000. That is the reason. As I said, we increased the allowance only three months ago. There are different times in the year for different things and this is when the increases come into effect. The changes have always been made in July. As I said, 90% of carers are in receipt of the maximum payment anyway.

On the other point, social protection budgets in recent years have been very progressive. We have always sought to target those who need it the most and are on low incomes. The poverty rate is at 3.7%, which is the lowest level ever. The target is to get that figure to 2%. It is measured in a relative way. It is benchmarked against other incomes and as they go up, then the rate goes up. As I said, it is at its lowest level ever. This Government has never been found wanting, in fairness. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the PUP payments came out which supported people. They, in fact, meant the economy was able to rev back up again quickly. It is a model which will be used again when difficult times occur. It certainly worked extremely well. We have not been found wanting when it came to the cost-of-living increases. This is now the second year and the third set of payments to address and support people with the cost of living. I take the Deputy’s point that other governments will come in and they may not do that. I can, however, assure the Deputy that this Government is totally committed to supporting those on lower incomes. We have a strong, progressive budget. While I cannot speak for all parties, I can speak for my own and I know that focus will continue within the party.