Thomas Gould
Ceist:114. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider meeting with family carers to discuss supports they need due to the cost of living crisis. [24588/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 17 May 2022
Ceisteanna (114)
Freagraí scríofa
The Government recognises the important role that family carers play in Irish society and is fully committed to supporting them through a range of supports and services.
My Department provides a comprehensive package of carers’ income supports including Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance and the Carer’s Support Grant. Combined spending on all these payments to carers in 2022 is estimated to exceed €1.5 billion.
I have previously met with carer groups and will continue to do so. By way of illustration, as part of its commitments under the National Carer's Strategy, my Department hosts the Annual Carer's Forum. The Annual Carer’s Forum provides carers with a voice at policy level. My officials are currently organising the 2022 Forum in conjunction with Family Carers Ireland and Care Alliance Ireland. The event is taking place online on 31 May and I will be attending and will hear first-hand the issues experienced by family carers. Since my appointment as Minister for Social Protection, supporting our Carers has been a key priority for me.
Last year, in my first Budget in the Department, I increased the Carer’s Support Grant to €1,850 - that represents the highest-ever rate of payment for that grant.
In this year’s Budget, I made significant changes to the Carer’s Allowance means test.
- The capital/savings disregard for the Carer’s Allowance means assessment is being increased from €20,000 to €50,000, aligning it with that which applies for Disability Allowance.
- For carers who work, I have increased the weekly income disregard from €332.50 to €350 for a single person, and from €665 to €750 for carers with a spouse/partner.
These are the first changes that have been made to the Carer’s Allowance means test in 14 years. The changes will take effect in June.
I can assure the Deputy that I am very aware of the key role carers play in society, in particular the challenges they face due to the increases in the cost of living. I will continue to keep the range of supports available to carers under review, in consultation with family carers and their representative organisations.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.