John Lahart
Ceist:638. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Social Protection how the procedures for means testing for carer’s allowance are carried out; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44090/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 5 November 2024
Ceisteanna (638)
Freagraí scríofa
Carer's Allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.
Legislation provides that the means test takes account of the income and assets of the person (and spouse, civil partner or cohabitant) applying to the scheme. Income and assets include income from employment, self-employment, occupational pensions, as well as property owned (other than the family home) and capital such as savings, shares and other investments.
If a carer is single, the first €450 of their gross weekly income is disregarded. If a carer is married, in a civil partnership or cohabiting, the first €900 of their combined gross weekly income is disregarded. For a couple, their combined gross weekly income (less any disregards) is then halved to give the carer's weekly means. PRSI, union dues, superannuation and travel expenses are also deductible. As part of Budget 2025, the weekly income disregard will increase from €450 to €625 for a single person, and from €900 to €1,250 for carers with a spouse / partner. These changes to the income disregard will take effect from July 2025.
In June 2024, the introduction of new legislation meant that child maintenance payments are now excluded from all social welfare means tests.
Capital is assessed as means and includes savings and investments and the value of property owned, but not personally used. The table below sets out how capital is assessed.
|
Formula |
Weekly Means |
|
First €50,000 |
Nil |
|
Next €10,000 |
€1 per €1,000 |
|
Next €10,000 |
€2 per €1,000 |
|
Excess of €70,000 |
€4 per €1,000 |
If the Deputy has a particular case in mind, you might provide the relevant details so that my officials can examine the specific case.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.