Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 October 2023
361. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will bring forward changes to the means test for carer's allowance to January 2024 rather than June 2024, given the hardship family carers are facing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46304/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government acknowledges the important 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 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.
• Last June 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.
• In addition, I increased the capital/savings disregard from €20,000 to €50,00.
• As part of Budget 2024, the weekly income disregard will be increased further from €350 to €450 for a single person, and from €750 to €900 for carers with a spouse/partner.
These significant changes to the means test for Carer's Allowance have been a key priority for me as Minister in order to ensure more Carer's will qualify for a payment.
Introducing this change to the means threshold involves changes to several systems which need to be developed and tested. Once this has been complete all means tests will need to be reviewed to ensure the changes in the income disregards are applied correctly.
While this measure will not be introduced until June 2024, weekly payment rates will increase and come into effect from January 2024. Targeted measures, which will benefit carers will also be delivered between November and January.
• In November a €400 a lump sum will be paid to people receiving the Carer's Support Grant.
• Also in November a special payment of €100 will be made for each qualified child on a claim – including on Carer's Claims.
• A Christmas Bonus Double Payment will be paid to people in receipt of carer's payments
• From January 2024 there will be an increase of €12 in maximum personal rate of weekly carer's payments, with proportionate increases for qualified adults and those on reduced rates with an additional €4 increase per child.
• Also, in January 2024 there will be an additional once-off double Cost of Living Support Payment, which will be paid to qualifying Social Protection recipients including, carers and people on long-term disability payments.
I am also increasing the rate of payment for Domiciliary Care Allowance from by €10 per month with effect from January 2024.
