Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I indicated last year that I intended to bring these qualified adults up to the full personal social welfare non-contributory pension rate so that a husband and wife with a single social welfare non-contributory pension rate would have an increase of €41 as a result of these decisions. I intend to complete this process next year.

Carers

The Government also recognises the huge contribution to society made by carers and will increase carer's allowance and carer's benefit by €14 per week. I will also raise the income disregard for carers by €25 for a couple to €665. I increased the respite care grant last year from €1,200 to €1,500. This year, I am increasing it by a further €200 to €1,700.

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