John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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662. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the case of carers allowance payments for a person (details supplied) will be reviewed. [39576/25]

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.

I can confirm that the person concerned is in receipt of half rate CA in respect of the care of their daughter since 03 January 2008 (currently €130 per week) and since 08 May 2025, they are also in receipt of a 50% increase in this rate (€65 per week) in respect of the care of their spouse. Their status as a qualified adult on a State Pension Non-Contributory payment means they are in receipt of the maximum rate of CA payable.

The person also received the Carer's Support Grant for both care recipients during the first week of June 2025.

The person concerned will reach age 66 shortly. As a result, the payment of an increase for a qualified adult on a State Pension Non-Contributory payment will stop. As outlined to the person in a letter dated 04 March 2025, they should consider applying for a State Pension in their own right. As the person has a verified MyGovID account, the quickest and easiest way to apply is online on www.mywelfare.ie/. Alternatively, they can complete an application form for State Pension Contributory or State Pension Non-Contributory. These are available from www.gov.ie/ or in Post Offices, Intreo Centres, and Citizen Information Centres nationwide.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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663. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if his Department can address queries in respect of the contributions, benefits and entitlements of persons (details supplied). [39578/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The person concerned is currently in receipt of a reduced rate contributory state pension. This is based on a record of 719 full rate contributions which gives entitlement to 65% of the maximum rate. A an increase in respect of a qualified adult was also in payment in respect of his late spouse.

Following the death of their spouse, my Department contacted the person concerned to advise them of the 6 weeks payment after death, living alone increase, fuel allowance and widow's, widower's or surviving civil partner's contributory pension.

As no application has been received in respect of the widow's, widower's or surviving civil partner's contributory pension, officials in my Department contacted the person concerned again to advise them to submit an application.

A total of 202 paid contributions and 10 credits are recorded in respect of their deceased spouse. A minimum of 520 full paid contributions were required to qualify for State pension (contributory). As this condition was not met, any periods of homemaking would not be relevant, as these can only be used to enhance or increase pension entitlement when the criteria are met.

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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664. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if, where a person who is in receipt of the disability allowance and who owns their own home and intends to sell their home and will be purchasing a new home from the proceeds, the sales proceeds in the interim period will be considered as means and thereby result in the disability allowance being stopped; if there is any period allowed between the sale and the purchase that is not considered as means; if there is any facility for the person to rent a house in the interim without it affecting the disability allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39586/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Disability Allowance is my Department's primary disability related social assistance scheme.  The payment is subject to a medical assessment, a means test and a habitual residency requirement.  The means test takes account of the income a person or couple has in terms of cash, as well as the value of capital and property, other than the family home.

Applying a means-test ensures that the recipient has an income need and that scarce resources are targeted to those with the greatest need.  This approach supports an economically sustainable and socially equitable allocation of scarce resources. 

Disability Allowance has one of the highest capital disregards operated by the Department of Social Protection.  A recipient can have up to €50,000 in savings and still receive the full rate of payment.  This compares with €20,000 for most social welfare payments.  In the Disability Allowance means test, capital over €50,000 but under €60,000 is assessed at €1 per €1,000; amounts between €60,000 and €70,000 are assessed at €2 per €1,000 and amounts over €70,000 are assessed at €4 per €1,000.

The Programme for Government commits to reform the Disability Allowance Payment and remove anomalies in the current means test.  There are also commitments in relation to the rate of payment and the development of an annual cost of disability support payment.  These commitments will be progressed over the lifetime of the Government, having regard to the available resources.

My Department is currently reviewing means testing across all its social assistance schemes.  The outcome of this review will be used to inform decisions regarding any further changes to means testing.  All prospective changes to means testing arrangements will have to be considered in both an overall policy and budgetary context.

If the Deputy has a particular case in mind, please forward the details to my Department so my officials can review the specific circumstances.