Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 April 2024
231. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which the carer's allowance has been improved in recent times to meet requirements of more persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18707/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government acknowledges the valuable 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 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 on these payments is expected to amount to over €1.7 billion this year.
The Carer’s Allowance scheme is the main scheme by which the Department provides income support to carers in the community. In 2024 the expenditure on the Carer’s Allowance scheme is estimated to be over €1.1 billion and there are currently 96,406 people getting this payment.
Since my appointment as Minister, I have made a number of improvements to the means test for Carer's Allowance.
In June 2022 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. The capital and savings disregard for the Carer’s Allowance means assessment was also increased from €20,000 to €50,000.
As part of Budget 2024, the weekly income disregard will be further increased in June from €350 to €450 for a single person, and from €750 to €900 for carers with a spouse/partner.
Since June 2022, this amounts to cumulative increases to the income disregards of €117.50 for a single carer and €235.00 for a carer who is part of couple. These are the highest disregards in the Social Welfare system.
These changes meant that carers on a reduced rate moved to a higher payment. In addition, many carers who previously did not qualify for a payment due to their means are brought into the Carers Allowance system for the first time.
In acknowledgement of the particular challenges faced in light of the current cost of living crisis, I announced a number of measures as part of Budget 2024, which directly benefit family carers:
• In November, a €400 a lump sum was paid to people receiving the Carers Support Grant.
• A Christmas Bonus Double Payment was paid to people in receipt of Carers Allowance and Carer’s Benefit.
• January saw an increase of €12 in maximum personal rate of weekly carers payments, with proportionate increases for qualified adults and those on reduced rates.
• In late January/early February, a once-off double Cost of Living Support Payment was paid to qualifying Social Protection recipients, including carers.
In addition, in January 2020 the number of hours a person in receipt of Carers Allowance could work, study or attend a training course was increased from 15 to 18.5 hours. This measure was prioritised in response to the carers who expressed that they found 15 hours to be too restrictive, not only for work but for education and training purposes.
Notwithstanding these improvements, as part of Budget 2024, I announced my intention to establish an Interdepartmental Working Group with the Department of Health and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to examine and review the system of means test for carers payments.
I have asked this Group to report to me on the matter by Quarter 3 of this year.
I can assure the Deputy that I am keenly aware of the key role that family carers play in Irish society and the challenges they face, and I will continue to keep the range of income supports provided to family carers by my department under review.
I trust that this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
