Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 October 2025
653. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to alter the criteria for carer's allowance for twins, which currently pays at one and half rate, to allowing a carer to receive full rate carer’s allowance for each individual twin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54576/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government recognises the enormous contribution that family carers make to Irish society and we are committed to supporting them.
Carer's Allowance is made up of a personal rate for the carer and additional amounts for child dependents. At the moment, the standard personal rate for a carer under age 66 is €260 per week and for a carer aged 66 or over the rate is €298. As a result of Budget 2026, these will increase by €10 to €270 and €308 per week respectively from January. Where a carer is providing full-time care and attention to more than one person as in the case outlined by the Deputy, the rate of Carer's Allowance payable is increased by 50% of the standard personal rate.
The current weekly of the Child Support Payment is €50 for a child aged under 12 and €62 in respect of a child aged 12 or over. From January these rates will increase to €58 and €78 per week respectively as a result of Budget 2026.
Similarly, the weekly non-means tested, social insurance-based Carer's Benefit payment has an increased personal rate where care is provided to more than one person. It is payable for up to 104 weeks in respect of each care recipient.
In addition to this higher personal rate of payment and Child Support Payments, carers of twins may also qualify for other supports from my Department.
The non-means-tested annual Carer's Support Grant is available for all full-time carers whether or not they are in receipt of a weekly carers’ payment from my department. The grant increased by €150 this year to €2,000 - its highest ever level. A grant is paid for each person being cared for.
Domiciliary Care Allowance is payable to a parent or 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. The child must be likely to require this level of care and attention for at least 12 consecutive months. Where a person is caring for more than one child who qualifies for Domiciliary Care Allowance, they may claim the monthly allowance of €360 for each child. As a result of Budget 2025 this will increase by €20 to €380 per month from January. There is no restriction on the number of children a person may claim Domiciliary Care Allowance for.
It should also be noted that, in the case of twins, Child Benefit is paid at one-and-a-half times the normal monthly rate for each child. That is, €210 per month in respect of each child.
The Programme for Government contains a number of commitments to improve the supports available to family carers. These include a commitment to continue to increase the Carer’s Support Grant and to progressively increase weekly carer support payments. In addition, the Government has committed to examining how carers who are providing full-time care and attention to more than one person can be better supported.
These commitments will be advanced over the lifetime of the Government and in light of available resources.
I trust that this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
