Danny Healy-Rae
Question:436. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will exempt the carer’s payment from a means test (details supplied). [15410/23]
View answerTuesday, 28 March 2023
Questions (436)
Written answers
Carer’s Allowance is primarily aimed at carers on low incomes who look after people in need of full-time care and attention. The two principal conditions for receipt of Carer’s Allowance are that full time care and attention is required and being provided, and that the applied means test is satisfied. The application of the means test ensures that the limited resources available can be targeted a those with the greatest income need.
As part of Budget 2022 I made significant changes to the Carer’s Allowance means test. These were the first changes to the means test in 14 years.
- The capital and savings disregard was increased from €20,000 to €50,000, and
- For carer’s who work, the weekly income disregard was increased from €332.50 to €350 for a single person, and from €665 to €750 for a couple.
These are the highest disregards in the social welfare system.
Significant non-means tested payments are also available to carers through Carer's Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance and the Carer's Support Grant.
As part of Budget 2023, I announced significant improvements to payments for carers including:
- A €12 increase in the maximum rate of Carer’s Allowance and Carer’s Benefit with proportionate increases for people receiving a reduced rate.
- The Half-rate Carer’s Allowance is now disregarded in the means assessment for Fuel Allowance.
- Domiciliary Care Allowance increased by €20.50 to €330 per month.
- A double payment for carers paid in October 2022 benefitting over 118,000 carers.
- A €500 payment for people receiving Carer’s Support Grant paid in November 2022.
- Carers received the Christmas Bonus Double Payment.
- A €200 payment for carers which will be paid in April.
Any additional changes to the means test, such as that suggested by the Deputy, would have implications for overall spending and would have to be considered in the context of the budget.