Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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364. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if all recipients of carers allowance will receive the cost-of-living top-up paid in November. [60667/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As part of Budget 2023, I announced a number of measures in relation to supports provided by my department for carers.  These measures acknowledge the important role that family carers play in our society and the particular challenges they face in light of the current cost of living crisis.

The €500 Cost of Living payment is a lump sum payment to those carers who are eligible for the Carer’s Support Grant. This payment was made in the week commencing 21 November to all carers who are in receipt of Carer’s Allowance as well as those in receipt of Carer’s Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance and carers who qualify for the Carer’s Support Grant. Over 114,500 carers received the payment.

As the payment is made on the basis of primary qualifying social welfare payment, a further 7,512 family carers whose qualifying payment was a long-term disability payment and who are also in receipt of a half-rate carer's allowance payment, received their payment on the week commencing 14 November. 

The €500 Cost of Living payment is part of a range of measures put in place for carers as part of Budget 2023.  Other measures I announced include:

- Cost of Living Double Payment to Carers paid in week commencing 17 October.

- Carers will also receive the Christmas Bonus Double Payment in week commencing 5 December

- €12 increase in the maximum rate of Carer’s Allowance and Carer’s Benefit with effect from January 2023 with proportionate increases for people receiving a reduced rate.

- €2 increase for each Qualified Child, bringing rates to €50 for Over 12s and €42 for Under 12s from January 2023.

- Half-rate Carer’s Allowance will be disregarded in the means assessment for Fuel Allowance with effect from January 2023.

- Domiciliary Care Allowance will increase by €20.50 to €330 per month with effect from January 2023.

- Domiciliary Care Allowance will be available in respect of children with severe illness or disability who remain in hospital for up to six months after birth.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.