Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 February 2022
29. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of her Department’s support for carers; when the changes in respect of the carer’s allowance will take effect; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5393/22]
View answerThe key role of the Department of Social Protection is that of income support. The main income supports to carers provided by my Department include Carer's Allowance, Carer's Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance, and the Carer's Support Grant. Spending on these payments in 2022 is expected to exceed €1.5 billion. In acknowledgement of the crucial role that family carers play in our society, I introduced a number of measures as part of Budget 2022 in relation to supports provided by my Department. These include the following changes to the Carer's Allowance means test which will take effect in June:
- An increase in the Capital/Savings disregard for Carer’s Allowance from €20,000 to €50,000.
- An increase in the weekly income disregard for Carer’s Allowance from €332.50 to €350 a week for single carers and from €665 to €750 for carers with a spouse/partner.
In addition, the following changes relating to carers were also announced and came into effect from January:
- €5 increase in maximum rate of all core weekly payments including carer's payments.
- €3 increase for qualified child dependants aged 12 and over and €2 for those up to age 12, in all core weekly payments.
- Domiciliary Care Allowance is now paid for children who go into hospital for up to 6 months (formerly 3 months). Where applicable, Carer’s Allowance will also continue to be paid in respect of children who go into hospital for 6 months.
I can assure the Deputy that I am very aware of the key role carers play in society and I will continue to keep the range of supports available to carers under review. Any further improvements to these supports can only be considered in a budgetary context and in the light of available financial resources. I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
