Michael Collins
Question:54. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection her current policy regarding the carer’s allowance (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8086/24]
View answerTuesday, 20 February 2024
Questions (54)
Written answers
The Government acknowledges the valuable role that family carers play and is fully committed to supporting carers in that role. This commitment is recognised in both the Programme for Government and the National Carers’ Strategy.
The main income supports to carers provided by my department are Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance and the Carer’s Support Grant. Spending on these payments is expected to amount to over €1.7 billion this year.
Since my appointment as Minister, I have made a number of improvements to the means test for Carer's Allowance.
• In June 2022 the income disregards were increased from €332.50 to €350 for a single person, and from €665 to €750 for carers with a spouse/partner.
• As part of Budget 2024, the weekly income disregard will be further increased from €350 to €450 for a single person, and from €750 to €900 for carers with a spouse/partner.
• Increase in the capital and savings disregard for the Carer’s Allowance from €20,000 to €50,000.
However, Carer's Allowance does not purport to be a payment for care, and I do not intend to deviate from the underpinning principle of Carer’s Allowance being an income support payment. It is important to note that the removal of the Means Test would give rise to additional costs of at least €600m per year. At this level the removal of the means test would have a significant impact on the funding available for other schemes and services.
That said, as part of Budget 2024, I announced my intention to establish an Interdepartmental Working Group with the Department of Health to examine and review the system of means test for carers payments. My officials are engaging with their counterparts in the Department of Health to progress this issue and I expect the group to report back to me later this year.
The work of the group will be informed by a broader review of means testing currently underway in my Department, which is targeted for completion by Quarter 1 2024, with a report to be published afterwards. The work of the Interdepartmental Group will also be considered within the context of review of the National Carer's Strategy, led by the Department of Health.
I trust that this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
Questions Nos. 55 to 61, inclusive, answered orally.