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

As part of the work of social protection, reviews are always carried out. The Department carries out checks on an ongoing basis to ensure resources go to those who need them most.

To respond to the Deputy's question, the revised carer's allowance does not kick in until June 2024. That decision was taken and I will implement it in the social welfare Bill. I do not think I will be in a position to implement it any earlier, to be quite honest. At that stage, when the limits have changed, people can reapply. One of my priorities since I became Minister for Social Protection is to do as much as we can to support our carers because I know very well the huge work they do and the contribution they make to our society. In my first budget in the Department, I increased the carer's support grant to €1,850. In budget 2022, I was the first Minister in 14 years to make changes to the carer's means test. I changed it last year and I am changing it again in this year's budget.

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