Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
767. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the projected cost of providing carer’s allowance to all those in receipt of the carer’s support grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36786/23]
View answerMy Department provides a comprehensive package of income supports for carers including Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance and the Carer’s Support Grant.
Carer’s Allowance is a payment to people on low incomes who are caring full-time for a person who needs support because of age, disability or illness. The two principal conditions for receipt of Carer’s Allowance are that full time care and attention is required and is being provided, and that the means test is satisfied.
The conditions attached to payment of Carer’s Allowance are consistent with the overall conditions that apply to social assistance payments generally and which are based on an income need. The means test plays the critical role in determining whether or not an income need arises as a consequence of a particular contingency - be that illness, disability, unemployment or caring.
The Carer's Support Grant is automatically paid to people in receipt of Carer's Allowance, Carer’s Benefit and Domiciliary Care allowance in June of each year. The cohort of carers to which the Deputy refers are other carers not in receipt of a carer’s payment but who may also be eligible for a standalone Grant if they meet the qualifying full-time care and attention condition.
Budget 2021 increased the rate of the grant by €150 bringing it to its current rate of €1,850. This is the highest rate of the grant since its introduction.
The estimated full year cost of providing Carer's Allowance all those in receipt of the Carer's Support Grant is €553m. However, this would also represent a very significant policy change, perhaps giving rise to unintended consequences.
It should be noted that these costings are subject to change in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
