Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)

The context of the commitment in the programme for Government is to do it in a progressive manner as part of the annual budget process. We are still finalising budget 2026 in terms of passing the Bill and we have not given a huge focus to 2027 yet. In terms of abolishing the carer's allowance, the Department has estimated a cost of approximately €600 million. This is based on administrative data. It is derived from the number of people on a reduced rate payment due to means, the number on a half-rate payment perhaps due to an overlap with another social welfare payment, and those who are in receipt of the non-means tested carer's support grant. This cost, however, could stretch to a potential €3 billion per annum if everybody who self-declared as a carer in census 2022 were to qualify. This latter figure is a very high-level estimate but it gives a sense of the range. This gives a sense of the implications of departing from a means-tested approach. That is why we will be abolishing it in a measured way over a number of budgets. This year's increase of 60% gives a sense of my ambition and determination in that regard. I certainly will be pursuing further increases. To give a little bit of leeway, we must also bear in mind that we have to look after those who are on existing carer's payments to ensure they get support as well.

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