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

Again, I do not propose to accept amendments that put requests for reports into legislation.

On the pay-related carer's benefit payment, I recently signed a commencement order confirming that the new jobseeker's pay-related benefit scheme would be available from 31 March 2025. The priority is to launch this scheme, and the Government has been clear that this experience should be used to inform future decisions regarding pay-related schemes. I am delighted that this will kick in next March. It will make a big difference to people who suddenly find themselves unemployed and who have a long working history. It follows that the continued extension of a pay-related benefit approach to other schemes, such as the carer's benefit scheme, will need detailed analysis, including on impacts on PSRI rates. This would not be possible within a month. It is the same officials who will have to deliver the carer's benefit for the self-employed. There is a lot to happen in social protection between now and Christmas. As promised in the Dáil, I will ensure that a report is completed in six months. Is that okay?

Second, on the issue of bringing forward increases in the carer's allowance means-test threshold, all budget measures have been given specific dates to enable their implementation. Adjusting means thresholds requires individual claim reviews and an adjustment of claims in payment. Changes to the means thresholds announced on budget day usually take place mid-year and it was only last July that we increased the thresholds. Lead-in time is required, so there is not much need to produce the report the requested.

On abolishing the carer's allowance means test, I can inform the Senator, as I told him earlier, that the interdepartmental working group is considering the means-testing of family carers. The group will report its findings by the end of the year. Given that this work is already under way, there is no point in producing another report on the matter. A conservative estimate is an additional cost of about €600 million per annum, based on the current claim. Based on what is in the census figures, the additional cost could go up to €2 billion per year, which is a significant amount of money.I was the first Minister in 14 years to increase the carer's disregard and I have nearly doubled it at this stage. It now stands at up to €625 for a single person and €1,250 for a couple. At the request of carers and their representative organisations, I have also increased the capital disregard. Carers with a spouse or partner can now have savings or capital of up to €100,000 before it impacts their payment. We are all aware of the key role carers play in our society. We have come a long way but there is more to be done in this area. We will continue to work with the organisations to make more progressive changes as we go forward.