Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Carer’s Support Grant is available to all family carers providing full-time care and assistance, regardless of means. As part of Budget Measures 2021, I increased the grant by €150 to its highest ever rate of €1,850. It is an annual payment for each care recipient and is paid in a single lump sum. This grant is paid automatically to those in receipt of Carer's Allowance, Carer’s Benefit and Domiciliary Care allowance in June of each year.

This year, on 1st June, some 141,000 Grants were paid to approximately 126,000 family carers. The overall cost of the grant in 2023 is expected to be over €268.5 million.

Other carers not in receipt of a carer’s payment may also be eligible for the grant if the applicant provides full-time care and attention to a person that is so incapacitated that they are likely to require this full-time care and attention for at least 12 months. There is no requirement to satisfy a means test or social insurance contributions. Carers may use the grant in a manner that is appropriate to their needs. The grant is paid in respect of each person being cared for to take account of the additional cost of providing care and to recognise the particular challenges faced by these carers.

Since my appointment as Minister, I have made a number of significant improvements within the social welfare system to enhance the supports available for our carers. As part of Budget 2022, I was delighted to announce the first improvements to the means test for Carer's Allowance in 14 years.

• The capital and savings disregard for the means assessment for Carer’s Allowance was increased from €20,000 to €50,000, aligning it with the capital means test for Disability Allowance.
• For carers who are working, I increased the weekly income disregard to €350 for a single person, and to €750 for carers with a spouse/partner.

These are the highest income disregards in the social welfare system.

As part of Budget 2023, I announced a range of measures directly benefitting family carers, particularly in light of the current cost of living crisis, these include: -

• A €12 increase in the maximum rate of Carer’s Allowance and Carer’s Benefit with proportionate increases for people receiving a reduced rate.
• A €2 increase for each Qualified Child bringing rates to €50 for Over 12s and €42 for Under 12s.
• The Half-rate Carer’s Allowance is now disregarded in the means assessment for Fuel Allowance.
• Domiciliary Care Allowance increased by €20.50 to €330 per month.
• Domiciliary Care Allowance is now available in respect of children with severe illness or disability who remain in hospital for up to six months after birth.
• A double payment for carers paid in October 2022.
• A €500 payment for people receiving Carer’s Support Grant paid in November 2022.
• Carers received the Christmas Bonus Double Payment.
• A Cost-of-Living lump sum payment of €200 was paid in April to carers.

Finally, I have committed to a carrying out a broad review of means testing this year, which will include the Carer's Allowance means test provisions. Changes to any of the schemes on foot of this review will only be done in the context of ensuring the most effective and targeted use of public funds that are required to provide income support on a broad societal level.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.