Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

126. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if recipients of carer’s allowance will be notified prior to the new household increase in income thresholds provided for in Budget 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21692/25]

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

The Government acknowledges the crucial role that carers play in Irish society and is fully committed to supporting carers in that role.

Carer's Allowance 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.

There are currently 99,256 recipients of Carer’s Allowance. The projected expenditure on Carer’s Allowance for 2025 is approximately €1.24 billion.

On Thursday, 3rd of July 2025, the weekly income disregards for Carer’s Allowance will increase from €450 to €625 for a single person, and from €900 to €1,250 for carers with a spouse / partner.

This change is significant. The change will not affect customers currently in receipt of the full weekly rate of Carer’s Allowance. However, anyone who is currently in receipt of a reduced weekly rate of Carer’s Allowance due to their means will see an increase in their payment from July 3rd onwards. Payments will be adjusted automatically to take account of the new income disregards.

I hope that answers the Deputy's query.

Erin McGreehan (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

127. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he will report on the proposed permanent annual cost of disability support payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21718/25]

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

The Government recognises the additional costs associated with having a disability and is committed to improving outcomes for disabled people. That is why in the last three Budgets we brought forward an extensive range of cost of living measures to support people with disabilities and their families, including lump sum payments, bonus payments and increases to the maximum personal rate of weekly disability payments.

In the Programme for Government, we have committed to introducing a permanent Annual Cost of Disability Support Payment with a view to incrementally increasing this payment. We are currently examining the best way of delivering on this commitment within the overall budgetary context.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.