Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I meet the same people as Deputy Fitzpatrick does. They do such great work keeping family members out of nursing homes and hospitals, keeping them at home and giving them love and support. I also see the cost and impact it has on them as they provide that support. It is because of that we have made the changes I outlined to the Deputy, which he has been gracious enough to recognise in his supplementary question.

In terms of the means-testing element of what the Deputy is making the case for, the Department of Social Protection informed me that were the means test to be removed in its entirety, the cost of that alone for the carer's payment would be between €600 million and €2 billion per year. That is just for that payment. I am sure that if we changed the means testing for carer's payments, we would face equal calls to change it for other important social welfare payments. As I said, in recognition of the importance of this payment and the difference it makes, it is being examined. I am sure that will yield conclusions and some practical next steps. As that is being done, I know the Department of Social Protection, the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, and the broader Government will try to find practical ways to support our carers through payments and the other forms of support we make available to them.

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