Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for the reply, but we still have no clarity on when this means test will be abolished. As I said, the public believed the means test was going to be abolished either immediately on the formation of the Government or, at the very least, in budget 2026 in October of this year. From what the Minister said, there is absolutely no clarity on that. I acknowledge there have been increases in the limits over the years, which are welcome, but the commitment is to abolish the means test and that should and must be done, sooner rather than later, on the basis of the commitments given both in the election manifestos and in the programme for Government. Carers save the State €20 billion a year and give 19 million hours for free every week. They do exceptionally good work and save the State billions of euro. It is incumbent on the Government to abolish the test immediately.

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