Naoise Ó Muirí (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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111. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of people who will receive an increase in their carer’s allowance payment when the changes to the means test takes effect in July 2025, by county; if he will outline the overall percentage of carer’s allowance recipients who will now qualify for the maximum weekly payment on foot of the changes in July 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32704/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Carer's allowance (CA) 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 have been a number of significant improvements made to the means test for CA 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 Carer’s with a spouse/partner. This amounts to cumulative increases to the disregards of €292.50 and €585 respectively since June 2022.The table below outlines the number of customers in each county who are due to receive an increase in their CA when the changes to the means disregard take effect in July.From July, 99% of existing CA recipients will qualify for the full rate payment.I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Liam Quaide (Cork East, Social Democrats)
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112. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection for an update on plans to introduce a permanent annual cost of disability support payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33110/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Programme for Government commits to introducing a permanent Annual Cost of Disability Support Payment with a view to incrementally increasing this payment.We know that addressing the cost of disability is not a question of income support alone. The delivery of and access to services are also key. The Indecon report on the cost of disability, commissioned and funded by my Department, found that the extra costs of disability are due to a number of factors including higher costs of healthcare, transport, education and other services that arise because of a higher level of dependence on these services by people with disabilities.The Government has prioritised the development of a new National Disability Strategy. This is a whole of government strategy, led by my colleague the Minister for Children, Equality and Youth, with involvement of all Ministers. It that will have a focus on improving access to services and bringing down these extra costs.Further highlighting the cross-departmental nature of these issues and the need for a coordinated approach, the Taoiseach has set up a Disability Programme Office in his own Department. He has also established a dedicated Cabinet Committee on disability with a view to driving and monitoring progress in this area.Our Programme for Government commitments will be advanced over the lifetime of the Government, having regard to the overall policy and budgetary context.I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.