Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 February 2026
17. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress that has been made on the introduction of pay-related carers benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15519/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy 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 2026 is estimated at over €2.2 billion.
Carer’s Benefit is a payment made to insured people who meet a number of qualifying conditions and are required to leave the workforce or reduce their working hours to care for a person in need of full-time care. It is payable for a period of up to two years for each care recipient and may be claimed over separate periods or all at once. There are currently over 4,600 people in receipt of Carer's Benefit and expenditure in 2026 is estimated to exceed €76 million.
All recipients of Carer’s Benefit automatically qualify for the annual Carer’s Support Grant, which is paid at €2,000 per year, the highest level at which it has ever been set. The grant is paid in respect of each care recipient.
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to examine the introduction of a Pay Related Carer’s Benefit for individuals who have to give up work suddenly in order to provide full-time care to a loved one.
Our new Jobseeker's Pay-Related Benefit scheme began in March 2025. The scheme ensures that workers who are made unemployed receive benefits linked to their previous earnings. It is a relatively new payment but the experience of operating it over the past year will help to inform future decisions regarding pay-related schemes.
However, I should be clear that in terms of carers, my current priority is the removal of the means/income test.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
