Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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466. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason his Department is seeking to cut the rate of carer's allowance for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9332/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Carer's Allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that, as a result, they require that level of care.

Means are any income belonging to the carer and their spouse/civil partner/cohabitant including property (except their own home), or an asset that could bring in money or provide them with an income.

Once claims are in payment, my Department undertakes periodic reviews to ensure that there is continued entitlement. 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 confirm that the person concerned is in receipt of CA since 19 January 2023.

The person concerned notified my Department on 10 April 2024 in relation to a change in their circumstances (change of employment). This resulted in a review of means for the person concerned, which commenced on 8 August 2024.

The outcome of the review determined that the means of the person concerned were assessed at €186.02. As a result, the weekly amount of CA payable will reduce from €316.00 to €136.00 from 6 March 2025.

The person concerned was notified of this decision in writing on 12 February 2025. They were also notified of their right to have the decision reviewed (where new or further relevant information is available) or to appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.

The means test for CA has been significantly eased over the years. The current income disregard is €450 per week for a single person and €900 per week for a couple. The capital disregard is €50,000 for a single person and €100,000 for a couple.

As part of Budget 2025, the weekly income disregard will increase to €625 for a single person and to €1,250 for carers with a spouse / partner. These rates are effective from July 2025 and will be automatically applied to CA customer payments.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.