Louise O'Reilly
Question:394. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the first year and full year cost of increasing carer's allowance by €5. [46763/26]
View answerThursday, 18 June 2026
Questions (394)
Written answers
The estimated full year cost of increasing the rate of carer's allowance by €5 per week is €20.4 million.
This costing is based on current rates for those under and over 66 years, and assumes people on half rate will receive a proportionate increase.
It should be noted that these costings are subject to change in the context of emerging trends and the associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients for 2026.
Furthermore, these costings include proportionate increases for those on reduced rates of payment, where relevant. Increasing the payment rates for these schemes to the levels as outlined in the question is likely to increase the take-up of these respective schemes and this additional inflow is difficult to estimate from a cost perspective.