Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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282. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to examine the case of a person (details supplied) and advise on entitlements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36851/25]

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.

The two principal conditions for receipt of CA are that full-time care and attention is required and being provided, and that the means test is satisfied.

The minimum hours condition for which a carer can be regarded as providing full-time care and attention is set out in legislation. The time spent providing care each week must not be less than 35 hours per week over 5-7 days.

However, in order to support a carer’s continued attachment to the workforce and to support broader social inclusion, carers may engage in activities such as employment, including self-employment, education or training, up to 18.5 hours per week, while still being regarded as being in a position to provide full-time care. During this time of employment, education or training, adequate provision must be made for the care of the relevant person.

Legislation provides that the means test takes account of the income and assets of the person (and spouse, civil partner or cohabitant) applying to the scheme. The capital and savings disregard for the CA means assessment is €50,000 for a single carer and €100,000 in the case of a carer who is part of a couple.

In recent years there have been a number of significant changes made to the CA means test. 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 or partner.

To clarify, if a carer is single and not working over the 18.5 hours threshold, then the first €625 of their gross weekly income is disregarded (not taken into account) when calculating whether they qualify for CA. If a carer is married, in a civil partnership or cohabiting, the first €1,250 of their combined gross weekly income is disregarded.

The means test for CA has been significantly eased over the years and is now one of the most generous means tests in the Social Welfare System.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.