Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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132. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the carer's allowance weekly income disregard will increase from €450 to €625 for a single person, and from €900 to €1,250 for carers with a spouse-partner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32903/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The increases which the Deputy refers to 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, will be introduced on 3 July.From that date, a carer in a two-adult household with an income of approximately €69,000 will still retain their full carers payment and even with an income of €97,000 will retain a partial payment.There have been 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. It should be noted that after July, some 99 % of current Carer’s Allowance recipients will be on a full rate of payment. The majority of the remaining 1 % will also likely see an increase in their rate of payment.The current Programme for Government sets 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.It is important that we make progress in a way that is sustainable, and which balances the allocation of the available budgetary resources each year across all priorities. This includes funding services to other vulnerable groups. That is why we have committed to a measured and phased approach over a number of budgets.I trust that this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.