John Paul O'Shea (Cork North-West, Fine Gael)
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277. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a decision has been made on the review of a decision on a carer’s allowance application by a person in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36838/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office is a service of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions.

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, has decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision on 1st July 2025, as the means of the person concerned exceeded the statutory means limit. The person concerned will be notified in writing of the Appeals Officer’s decision in the coming days.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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278. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if persons in receipt of carer’s allowance have to be reassessed when the new changes are introduced, including persons who were recently reassessed (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36839/25]

Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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279. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the amount of savings allowed for persons in receipt of carer’s allowance will be increased when the new changes are introduced (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36840/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 278 and 279 together.

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.

From July, the weekly income disregards for CA will increase from €450 to €625 for a single person, and from €900 to €1,250 for carers with a spouse/partner.

The change will not affect customers currently in receipt of the full weekly rate of CA. However, anyone who is currently in receipt of a reduced weekly rate of CA due to their means will see an increase in their payment from July onwards. Payments have been adjusted automatically to take account of the new income disregards so customers do not need to contact the Department regarding these increases.

In 2022 the capital and savings disregard for the CA means assessment increased from €20,000 to €50,000. This equates to €100,000 in the case of a carer who is part of a couple.

This means that capital (such as savings, investments, or property other than your home) up to these thresholds is not counted in the means test for CA.

In respect of inheritance it should be noted that customers are under a legal obligation to report any change in their circumstances (including means/employment etc) to the Department which may affect their eligibility to a particular scheme, and such notifications may trigger a review of a person's entitlement.

Customers can notify the Department of a change in circumstance by post or email, although the quickest way to inform the Department is via MyWelfare. Customers with a verified MyWelfare account can upload their document regarding a change in circumstance via the Manage my Claim option. The customer will then receive an instant notification confirming that the document has been uploaded.

I hope this clarifies matters for the Deputy.