Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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47. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when carers will benefit from the changes to the carer’s allowance which are part of Budget 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5486/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The main income supports to carers provided by my Department include Carer's Allowance, Carer's Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance, and the Carer's Support Grant. Spending on these payments in 2022 is expected to exceed €1.5 billion.

In acknowledgement of the crucial role that family carers play in our society I introduced a number of measures as part of Budget 2022 in relation to supports provided by my Department. These include the following changes to the Carer's Allowance means test which will take effect in June:

- An increase in the Capital/Savings disregard for Carer’s Allowance from €20,000 to €50,000.

- An increase in the weekly income disregard for Carer’s Allowance from €332.50 to €350 a week for single carers and from €665 to €750 for carers with a spouse/partner.

In addition, the following changes also benefitting carers were announced and to came into effect in January:

- €5 increase in maximum rate of all core weekly payments, including carers.

- €3 increase for qualified child dependants aged 12 and over and €2 for those up to age 12, in all core weekly payments.

- Domiciliary Care Allowance is now paid for children who go into hospital for up to 6 months (formerly 3 months). The payment of Carer’s Allowance where applicable, also continues to be paid in respect of children who go into hospital for 6 months.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.