Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Lowry for raising this important issue as regards carers. My colleague, the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Humphreys, has increased the income thresholds for carer's allowance such that from June a couple earning up to €900 per week and having €50,000 in savings will still be able to qualify for the full carer's allowance payment.

The Minister has also established an interdepartmental group with the Department of Health tasked with looking at the area of means-tested payments to family carers, an area the Deputy suggested. The work of the interdepartmental group will be informed by a broader review of means-testing more generally which is under way in the Department of Social Protection. The work of the group will be considered in the context of the national carers' strategy. I expect to have that report to be able to make informed decisions before the budget. We will consider the motion the Deputy's grouping will table next week as well.

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