Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

275. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the current status of the proposed abolition of the means test for carers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20993/25]

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

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

The Programme for Government has set out a specific 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.

There have been a number of significant changes made to the means test in recent years. From July, there will be a further increase which will see the weekly income disregard rise from €450 to €625 for a single person, and from €900 to €1,250 for carers with a spouse/partner. This amounts to cumulative increases to the disregards of €292.50 and €585 respectively since June 2022. These increases make the scheme accessible to more people and may increase payment rates for those currently on a reduced rate.

I trust that this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.