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

If the means test is abolished completely, many more people will apply for the payment. The officials have estimated that and have given me those figures. I take them in good faith. I can get further details on them.

It is important to note that, only since June of this year, I increased the limits again such that a couple can earn up to €900 per week and have €50,000 in savings and still qualify for the full carer's allowance payment. The reality, however, is that no matter where I draw the line, there will always be some people who will fall the other side of it. I do not want to see those people left behind either. I know women who have given up their job to care for a child with disabilities but who, because the husband works, do not qualify for any payment. That is not right, and I accept that. The carer who provides should be recognised. That is why I have set up an interdepartmental group with the Department of Health to examine the means test entirely. Abolishing the means test would cost a lot of money - €600 million. I know the economy is going well, but we have to prioritise resources. That is just the way it is. It is very hard to see how one could do all of what Deputy Wynne is asking for in one budget alone in terms of the cost of removing the means test.

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