Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 June 2026
85. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Social Protection the analysis his Department has carried out on the eligibility of low-income farmers for carers allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46270/26]
View answerCarer’s Allowance is a means-tested payment for people who are caring for someone who needs support because of age, physical or learning disability or illness.
The main qualifying conditions for the Carer’s Allowance payment are that the applicant must be providing full-time care and satisfy a means test. Where these conditions are met a person may be eligible for the payment, irrespective of occupation.
The Programme for Government has set out a timeline which commits to significantly increasing the income disregards for Carer’s Allowance in each Budget, with a view to phasing out the means test during the lifetime of this Government.
The disregards for Carer's Allowance are the highest in the social welfare system. As part of Budget 2026 and with effect from the 2nd of July, I am increasing the weekly income disregards from €625 to €1,000 for a single person, and from €1,250 to €2,000 for carers who are part of couple.
The changes next month will be the largest ever increases in the income disregards. The impact of the increases will mean that those recipients on a reduced payment due to means will see their payment increase. In addition, more carers will qualify for Carer’s Allowance, even those in households that are regarded as having relatively high incomes. For example, a carer in a two-adult household with an income of approximately €110,000 will retain their full Carer’s Allowance payment and even with an income of €138,000 will retain a partial payment.
The Farm Assist scheme is a statutory means-tested income support specifically for farmers on low incomes. A Farm Assist claimant who is working less than 18.5 hours per week and providing full-time care to another person, may qualify for Carer’s Allowance. It is also important to note that a carer who is a Qualified Adult on a Farm Assist payment may also be eligible for a Half-rate Carer’s Allowance payment.
