Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)

-----particularly among children. Look also at the child support payment. It is very significant. The over-12s has gone up by €16 and the under-12s by €8. That will benefit approximately 330,000 children in this country. It is moving in the direction of a second tier in supporting those most in need. For children, the €16 is now approximately €4,000 per annum. That is the amount for a child and family in the support payment now. That is significant. It is €3,000 for those under 12.

For carers, there is a record 60% increase in the carer's allowance weekly income disregard. That is significant, going from €375 to €1,000. A single carer can now earn just above €54,000 per year and receive a full carer's payment. Income disregard for a couple increased by €750, to €2,000.

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