Social Welfare Benefits

Tuesday, 8 October 2024

Ceisteanna (342)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

342. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection in relation to the cost estimate range for abolishing the carer's allowance means test, which she put on the record of €600 million to €2 billion, if she will clarify if the €2 billion is based upon the assumption that all persons who self-declared themselves to be carers in Census of Population 2022 would become eligible for carer’s allowance in the absence of the means-test, and that this would include people who self-declared that they provide up to 14 hours of care per week and between 15 and 28 hours of care per week, both categories of whom would be ineligible for carer’s allowance given the scheme's requirement that you must be providing at least 35 hours of care per week. [40278/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

There are a number of reasonable scenarios that could be used when attempting to provide the cost estimate range of abolishing the Carer's Allowance means test.

For this costing, data from the 2022 Census was used. In Census 2022, approximately 290,000 people over 19 years of age self-reported themselves as carers.

Given the uncertainty about how many of these carers would meet the eligibility requirements for Carer's Allowance, e.g., the requirements for full-time care and 35 hours or more per week, a 'High Scenario' of 70% of self-reported carers in 2022 being eligible for Carer's Allowance was used. This assumption resulted in a costing of approximately 2 billion euros for the abolishment of the Carer's Allowance means test. 'Medium' and 'low' scenarios were also costed. None of these scenarios are based on the assumption that all persons who self-declared themselves to be carers in Census of Population 2022 would become eligible for carer’s allowance in the absence of the means-test.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.