Social Protection Committee to discuss the impact of the means testing on Carer’s Allowance, Disability Allowance and other social welfare payments

It will take place over two sessions:

• 9:30 – 11:00 am: The Impact of Means Testing on Carer’s Allowance and other Social Welfare Schemes with Care Alliance Ireland, Home & Community Care Ireland, Family Carers Ireland and One Family Ireland.

• 11:00 – 12:30 pm: The Impact of Means Testing on Disability Allowance, Disablement Pension and other Social Welfare Schemes with Disability Federation of Ireland.

The following representatives are due to appear:
• Care Alliance, Tara O’Connor
• Care Alliance, Zoe Hughes
• Family Carers Ireland, Catherine Cox
• Family Carers Ireland, Moira Skelly
• Home & Community Care Ireland, Joseph Musgrave
• Home & Community Care Ireland, Jamie Farrelly
• Home & Community Care Ireland, Paula Maher
• One Family Ireland, Karen Kiernan
• One Family Ireland, Carley Bailey
• Disability Federation of Ireland, Fleachta Phelan
• Disability Federation of Ireland, Sandra Porter
• Disability Federation of Ireland, Padraig Hanafin

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Denis Naughten said: “We look forward to continuing our series on means testing and social welfare payments with a wide range of representatives. A unanimous recommendation of this Committee’s Pre-Budget Submission in 2023 was to establish a high-level officials' group to scope out and develop a roadmap for the delivery of a non-means tested Participation Income for Family Carers thereby abolishing the means test completely by 2027.

“More than 500,000 individuals are family carers, which means one in eight people in Ireland provide regular unpaid care. Family carers are the backbone of care provision in Ireland, however they often lack support and recognition which negatively affects a carer's physical and mental health, financial status, and social integration. Many groups have voiced concern over means testing this payments and argue that it is in need of reform.”

“Similar concerns have been raised in relation to disability allowance, as people with disabilities are means-tested based on the incomes of those they live with – family members, partners or housemates which creates a form of financial dependency and denies people’s right to independent living. We look forward to discussing these and other related matters with representatives.”

Watch the meeting live here or on the Oireachtas smartphone app for Apple and Android.