Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I know that when people have spent a lot of time in the home, caring for people, it can be difficult for them. In December 2020, I approved funding of €577,890 to provide a range of training and supports for family carers for projects under the Dormant Accounts Fund. The purpose of the measure is to increase the employment, including self-employment, and education and training opportunities for carers and young carers. These projects run to the end of June.

In the almost two years I have been in this job, I have really focused on carers. In the first budget, I increased the carer's support grant to the highest level ever to €1,850, which is paid in June to all carers. This year's budget is the second budget in the Department for me. I reformed the carer's allowance means test in terms of the capital disregard and the weekly income disregard. A person used to be able to have up to €20,000. Now, a person can have up to €50,000. A couple can earn up to €750 and still get carer's allowance, and a single person can earn up to €350 per week. We have our decisions on the Pensions Commission's report, and it is a priority for me to provide a pension for carers.

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