Brian Stanley (Laois, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

674. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he plans to abolish the means test for carer’s allowance; if so, if it will be done in Budget 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17037/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Government is very aware of the key role that family carers play in Irish society and the challenges they face. We are fully committed to supporting carers in that role.

There have been a number of significant improvements made to the income thresholds in the means test in recent years. From July this year, 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 or partner. This will make the scheme accessible to more people.

The Programme for Government has set out a timeline which 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.

I trust that this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.