Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 June 2026
337. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will outline a clear timeline for the abolition of the means test for carer's allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46437/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Carer’s Allowance is the main scheme by which the Department provides income support to carers. There are currently just under 108,000 carers receiving this payment.
The Programme for Government has set out a timeframe 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 underway. 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 improvements to the Carer’s Allowance means test that will be introduced in July. From the 2nd of July, the weekly income disregard will increase by 60% from €625 to €1,000 for a single person, and from €1,250 to €2,000 for carers who are part of couple.
The changes next month will be the largest ever increases in the income disregards and will see more carers qualifying for Carer’s Allowance. 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. In addition, those recipients on a reduced payment due to means will see their payment increase.
Removing the means test is a significant shift in policy direction and there may be further implications above the cost exposure. For this reason the income disregard is being abolished in a measured way over a number of Budgets.
The 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 course of this Dáil term, having regard to the prevailing budgetary conditions.
