Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 June 2025
886. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Social Protection if the carer's allowance payment for a person (details supplied) is to cease following the means review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29217/25]
View answerCarer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that, as a result, they require that level of care.
Means are any income belonging to the carer and their spouse/civil partner/cohabitant including property (except their own home), or an asset that could bring in money or provide them with an income. The means test for CA has been significantly eased over the years and is now one of the most generous means tests in the social welfare system.
I confirm that the person concerned has been in receipt of CA since 6 November 2014 in respect of a first care recipient and since 3 December 2020 in respect of a second care recipient.
Once claims are in payment, my Department periodically reviews them to ensure that there is continued entitlement.
A means review was initiated on 18 November 2024 and it was determined that the means of the person concerned had exceeded the statutory limit. The person concerned was notified of this decision in writing on 24 April 2025. They were also notified of their right to have the decision reviewed (where further information is available) or to appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
A review was initiated on foot of correspondence received from the person concerned on 1 May 2025. Following this review, the deciding officer determined means of €408.88 and the amount of CA payable was €43.50 per week from 22 May 2025. The person concerned was notified of this decision in writing on 22 May 2025.
A subsequent review was initiated on foot of further correspondence received on 23 May 2025 and, following this review, the Deciding Officer determined means of €394.56 and the amount of CA payable is €58.50 per week from 22 May 2025.
There have been a number of significant improvements made to the means test for Carer's Allowance in recent years. As part of Budget 2025, on Thursday, 3 July 2025, the weekly income disregards for CA will increase from €450 to €625 for a single person, and from €900 to €1,250 for carers with a spouse/partner.
Based on these changes, the person concerned has been assessed with weekly means of €219.56 with the amount of CA payable increasing to €233.50 per week on 3 July 2025. The person concerned was notified of this decision in writing on 28 May 2025.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
