Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 February 2026
30. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection to outline the timeline and expected impact of the increases to the carer’s allowance income disregards due to take effect later this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15631/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra69. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will provide an update on abolishing the means test for the carer’s allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15568/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra84. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Social Protection the timeline for the abolition of the carer's means test. [14268/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 30, 69 and 84 together. The carer’s allowance is the main scheme by which my department provides income support to carers. Expenditure on carer’s allowance in 2026 is estimated to exceed €1.4 billion. At the end of January there were more than 105,000 carers receiving this payment. The programme for Government has set out a timeline which commits to significantly increasing the income disregards for carer’s allowance in each budget, with a view to phasing out the means test during the lifetime of this Government. This process is already under way.
Last July, the amount of weekly earnings disregarded was increased to €625 for a single person and €1,250 for a couple. As part of budget 2026, I announced further changes to the carer’s allowance means test that will be introduced this July. The weekly income disregard will increase from €625 to €1,000 for a single person, and from €1,250 to €2,000 for carers who are part of couple. Since June 2022, there have been cumulative increases to the disregards of over 200%. The single carer disregard has increased by €667.50 and the couple disregard by €1,335. These are significant increases. The impact of the increases to the carer’s allowance income disregards due to take effect later this year will mean that those recipients on a reduced payment due to means will see their payment increase.
In addition, more carers will qualify for carer’s allowance, even those in households that are regarded as having relatively high incomes. For example, a carer in a two-adult household with an income of approximately €110,000 will retain their full carer’s allowance payment and even with an income of €138,000 will retain a partial payment. The recent improvements outlined are evidence of the Government’s determination to deliver on its commitment to phase out the Carer's Allowance means test over the lifetime of the Government. We will continue to progress this commitment in light of the prevailing budgetary conditions.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
