Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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431. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason carer’s allowance is automatically halved if a person receives the old-age pension; when this policy was enacted; the person that signed off on it; and the reason it was deemed necessary. [27496/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Under the single payment per person rule, people who qualify for multiple payments from my Department typically receive only the higher of the available options.

However, as an exception to this rule, the half-rate Carer’s Allowance was introduced for people already receiving a social welfare payment. This arrangement allows people receiving certain welfare payments to retain their primary payment and receive up to a half-rate Carer’s Allowance, depending on their means. For example, a person entitled to the State Pension (Contributory) can transfer to that payment and still receive up to a half-rate Carer’s Allowance.

Following Budget 2025 changes, a person receiving Carer’s Allowance who qualifies for the full Contributory State Pension can, upon reaching age 66, move from a €298 per week Carer’s Allowance to a combined payment of €438.30 per week, an increase of €178.30 per week.

Alternatively, upon reaching State Pension age, the carer may choose to remain on full Carer’s Allowance, which will be €298 per week for caring for one person, or €447 per week for caring for two or more people.

The Department’s Pensions Office will advise people applying for the State Pension on the most financially beneficial option available to them.

Additionally, the Department provides non-means-tested financial supports for carers, including the annual Carer’s Support Grant. From June 2025, this grant will increase to €2,000, the highest rate since its introduction.

I trust this clarifies the position.