Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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1383. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position regarding the increase in income disregards for carer's allowance as committed to in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46206/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Programme for Government has committed 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.

Significant progress has been made in recent years to supports for carers and in particular the Carer's Allowance income disregard. The latest increase occurred in July when the income disregard increased from €450 to €625 for a single person, and from €900 to €1,250 for carers with a spouse/partner, making the scheme more accessible. These changes amount to cumulative increases to the disregards of €292.50 and €585 respectively, or 88%, since June 2022.

Phasing out the means test is a major change to the Carer's Allowance and to the Irish social welfare system generally. It is important that we make progress in a way that is sustainable, and which does not unduly limit our scope to support other vulnerable groups.

I will consider any further changes or improvements within an overall policy and budgetary context.