Aisling Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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507. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if his Department will suspend all reviews of current recipients of carer’s benefit given that the programme for Government indicates a change in the assessment procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6309/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The main income supports to Carers provided by the Department of Social Protection are Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance and the Carer’s Support Grant. Spending on these payments is expected to amount to over €1.9 billion in 2025.

There have been a number of significant improvements made to the means test for Carer's Allowance in recent years. As part of Budget 2025, the weekly income disregard will increase from €450 to €625 for a single person, and from €900 to €1,250 for Carers with a spouse/partner.

The Government is very aware of the key role that family Carers play in Irish society and the challenges they face. Thus, the programme for Government - Securing Ireland's Future - has set out a timeline that commits to significantly increasing the income disregards for Carer’s Allowance in each Budget with a view to phasing out the means test during the lifetime of the Government.

The Government extended Carer’s Benefit to self-employed from 1 January 2025 and the Programme for Government promises to examine the introduction of Pay Related Carer's Benefit for individuals who have to give up work suddenly in order to provide full time care to a loved one.

Reviews form part of my Department's control mechanisms that ensure compliance with regulations. Therefore, once claims are in payment, my Department undertakes periodic reviews to ensure that there is continued entitlement to payment. This includes reviews to ensure that the person being cared for continues to satisfy the care requirement. In some instances reviews are initiated by the Carer themselves when they notify the Department of a change in their circumstances or in the circumstances of the person(s) being cared for.

I hope this clarifies matters for the Deputy.