Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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1414. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to provide an update on his plans to abolish the means test for carers; if there is a timeline for this; if considerations for this will be made in Budget 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46927/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Government is very aware of the key role that family carers play in Irish society and the challenges they face and is fully committed to supporting carers in that role. 

In July, the weekly income disregard increased from €450 to €625 for a single person, and from €900 to €1,250 for carers with a spouse or partner.  This change broadens access to the scheme, allowing more carers to qualify for the support.

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.  The lifetime of the Government is the proposed timeline for this to be achieved.

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 changes or improvements to the Carer's Allowance means test within an overall policy and budgetary context.  

I trust this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.