Naoise Ó Muirí
Ceist:658. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Social Protection the additional supports or secondary benefits allowed to persons on a carer's allowance; and to persons on a carer's benefit. [51904/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 30 September 2025
Ceisteanna (658)
Freagraí scríofa
My Department provides a comprehensive package of carers’ income supports including Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance and the Carer’s Support Grant. Combined spending on these payments in 2025 is estimated at over €1.9 billion.
The annual Carer's Support Grant is paid automatically to those in receipt of Carer’s Allowance and Carer’s Benefit and a grant may be paid for each person being cared for. The grant has increased by €150 this year to €2,000, it's highest ever level.
Domiciliary Care Allowance, which is not means tested. It is payable to a parent/guardian in respect of a child aged under 16 who has a severe disability and requires continual or continuous care and attention substantially over and above the care and attention usually required by a child of the same age. This year, the payment rate increased by €20.00 to €360 per month. This payment has increased by €50.50 since January 2022.
Introduced in January 2024, the Long-Term Carers Contributions scheme allows individuals who have been full-time carers for at least 20 years (1,040 weeks) to receive Long-Term Carers Contributions. These contributions can help fill gaps in their social insurance record and help qualify for the State Pension (Contributory).
In addition to these payments which are specifically for carers, people in receipt of Carer's Allowance may also qualify for other supports from my Department.
The Household Benefits Package is available to help people with the cost of electricity or gas bills and the TV licence. It is available to everyone over 70. Carers under the age of 70 may also qualify for the Household Benefits Package, provided they meet the relevant scheme conditions. This includes being in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment such as Carer’s Allowance and satisfying a means test.
Fuel Allowance is a payment to help with the cost of heating during the winter months. Carer’s Allowance is now included as a qualifying payment for Fuel Allowance once the other qualifying conditions for Fuel Allowance are also satisfied.
The Free Travel Scheme allows eligible people to travel, free of charge, on all public transport owned by the State. This includes bus, rail, Local Link and the Luas, with some exceptions. Carers who receive Carer's Allowance may also qualify for the scheme.
Supplementary Welfare Allowance Supplements are paid weekly or monthly to help meet ongoing necessary costs which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income.
It is important to note too that carers who receive Carer's Allowance or Carer's Benefit are automatically eligible for a free GP Visit Card from the Health Services Executive.
I can assure the Deputy that I will continue to keep the range of supports available to carers under review. Any further improvements will be considered in an overall budgetary and policy context.