Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The system of social assistance supports provides payments based on an income need. The means test plays a critical role in determining whether or not an income need arises as a consequence of a particular contingency – such as disability, unemployment or caring. This ensures that the recipient has a verifiable income need and that resources are targeted to those who need them most.

A travel expenses disregard is included in the Carer's Allowance means test on an administrative basis. Where an allowance in regard to travel is already in place, such as a car allowance or the cycle to work scheme, the travel expenses disregard in the means test is not applied.

I acknowledge the crucial role that family carers play and is fully committed to supporting carers in that role. That is why I introduced significant improvements to the means test for Carer’s Allowance, which were announced as part of Budget 2022 and came into effect in from June.

The general weekly income disregard for Carer's Allowance was increased from €332.50 to €350 for a single person, and from €665 to €750 for a couple. This enabled more carers to become eligible for the scheme, and those currently in receipt of a reduced payment may now receive a higher payment.

The capital disregard was also increased from €20,000 to €50,000. This allows carers who have accumulated savings, often to provide care for a loved one, to retain an entitlement to Carer's Allowance.

In addition to these changes to the means test, all recipients of a weekly carers saw their payment increase by €5 per week from the beginning of January. Those with children will also have benefitted from an increase in the qualified child payment - €2 increase for children under the age of 12, and €3 for children aged 12 and over - bringing these payments to €40 and €48 per week respectively.

Any further changes to the means test for Carer’s Allowance would have to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context.

Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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385. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection whether she is considering expanding the grant towards the cost of a wig or hairpiece for those suffering hair loss due to illness to also include children suffering hair loss due to illness whose parents have the necessary PRSI contributions or self-employed equivalent; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45853/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As part of Budget 2022, I announced an expansion to the range of services available under the Treatment Benefit scheme. The new grant announced came into effect on 28 May 2022 and it provides a contribution of up to €500 once every calendar year towards the cost of non-surgical hair replacement, for example wigs and toupees, for people who suffer from hair loss due to disease. This grant is provided under the Medical Appliances stream of the Treatment Benefit scheme. In addition to this grant, eligible contributors can also benefit from dental, optical and aural benefits under the Treatment Benefit scheme.

As of 16 August 2022, 416 people benefited from the grant to the value of €206,836.

Eligibility for this grant is based on a medical and a contributory condition. It provides benefits to insured and eligible contributors to the Social Insurance Fund under PRSI Classes A, E, H, P or S and their dependent spouses and partners with a gross income of €100 or less per week. Benefits under the Treatment Benefit scheme are only available to adults and cannot be claimed for dependent children.

My Department keeps the current range of schemes and supports under review to make sure they continue to meet their objectives. Any changes to the current system would need to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context.

I trust this clarified the matter for the Deputy.