Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 July 2023
280. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which the carer's allowance has been improved to meet requirements of more persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33378/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe key role of my department is to provide income supports where an income need may arise due to unemployment, illness/disability and caring responsibilities. The payments provided are an income support to people who cannot earn, or can only earn a limited income, and who have no other means or resources to rely upon.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 in 2023 is expected to amount to almost €1.6 billion on these payments. The two principal conditions for receipt of Carer’s Allowance are that full time care and attention is required and provided, and that a means test is satisfied. The application of the means-test not only ensures that the recipient has an income need but also that scarce resources are targeted to those with the greatest need.
As part of Budget 2022, I introduced significant improvements to the means test for Carer's Allowance. These were the first changes to the means test in 14 years:
• For carers who work, the weekly income disregard was increased from €332.50 to €350 for a single person, and from €665 to €750 for carers with a spouse/partner.
• The capital and savings disregard for the Carer’s Allowance means assessment was increased from €20,000 to €50,000, aligning it with the capital means test for Disability Allowance. This allows carers who have accumulated relatively modest savings, often to provide care for a loved one, to retain an entitlement to Carer's Allowance.
The Carer’s Allowance disregards are the highest disregards in the social welfare system and the increase in the earnings limit enables more carers with modest incomes to become eligible for the scheme, and those in receipt of a reduced payment may now receive a higher payment.
It should be noted that, since 2015, there have been significant increases across all of the carer’s schemes provided. The number of people claiming Carer’s Allowance has increased by 52% resulting in a 68% increase in the cost of the scheme.
There are currently 93,766 recipients of Carer’s Allowance. The projected expenditure on Carer’s Allowance alone in 2023 is over €1 billion.Finally, I have committed to carrying out a broad review of means testing this year which will include the Carer's Allowance means test provisions. Changes to any of the schemes on foot of this review will only be done in the context of ensuring the most effective and targeted use of public funds that are required to provide income support on a broad societal level.I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
