Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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477. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he will reply to correspondence regarding means testing of the carer’s allowance (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9689/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The main income supports for 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.

Carer’s Allowance is the main scheme by which the Department provides income support to carers in the community. The primary objective of the Carer’s Allowance payment is to provide an income support to carers whose earning capacity is substantially reduced as a consequence of their caring responsibilities and, in so doing, to support the ongoing care of the person or people in respect of whom care is being provided.

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 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.

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.