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

I will move on to the question the Deputy asked. I know the important role family carers play and am fully committed to supporting them in that role. I meet them regularly in my Department, including at the annual carers forum. I have heard first-hand over many years of the wonderful work they do under extremely difficult circumstances; probably the most difficult is where mothers have children with disabilities. It is not easy and we all acknowledge the work they do.

At the end of August, there were 97,407 recipients of carer's allowance with recipient numbers increasing every year. The estimated cost of the scheme this year is expected to be over €1.1 billion. However, I acknowledge that no amount of money could reflect the value of care given to children or family members with profound care needs.

I was the first Minister to increase the carer's disregard in 14 years. Since my appointment as Minister for Social Protection, I have nearly doubled the income disregard for carer's allowance from €332.50 to €625 for a single carer and from €665 to €1,250 for a carer who is part of a couple. At the request of carers and their representative organisations, I also increased the capital disregard. A carer with a spouse or partner can now have capital up to €100,000 before it affects their payment. From July next year, a carer who is one of a couple can have household earnings of €65,789 per annum and receive full payment; earnings of €79,309 and receive payment equivalent to a half rate; and earnings of up to €91,269 and receive the minimum payment along with the secondary benefits. It has been increased considerably. We have come a long way but there is more to do. That is why I have set up an interdepartmental working group to look at the issue.

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