Séamus McGrath (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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383. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to revise the approach to the income disregards for the means test for the carers allowance (details supplied). [53805/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Programme for Government has set out a timeline which commits 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.

In terms of phasing out the means test, it is important that we make progress in a way that is sustainable, and which balances the allocation of the available budgetary resources each year across all priorities. This includes funding services to other vulnerable groups such as disabled people, lone parents and children.

Further improvements to the Carer's Allowance means test will be considered in the context of the upcoming Budget and in light of available resources.

I trust this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.