Robert Troy
Ceist:7. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider abolishing the punitive means test for the carer's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18203/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 25 April 2024
Ceisteanna (7)
Freagraí scríofa
The Carer’s Allowance scheme is the main scheme by which the Department provides income support to carers in the community. In 2024 the expenditure on the Carer’s Allowance scheme is estimated to be over €1.1 billion.Means tests are an essential components of our social welfare system - they help to direct scarce reroutes to where they are needed most. In the absence of means tests expenditure on social welfare schemes and services would increase very significantly with many of the beneficiaries of these increases being people who are relatively well off.Nevertheless taking account of the very important role of Carers in our society, I have, since my appointment as Minister, made a number of significant of improvements to the means test for Carer's Allowance. In June 2022 the income disregards were increased from €332.50 to €350 for a single person, and from €665 to €750 for carers with a spouse/partner. The capital and savings disregard for the Carer’s Allowance means assessment was also increased from €20,000 to €50,000.As part of Budget 2024, the weekly income disregard will be further increased from €350 to €450 for a single person, and from €750 to €900 for carers with a spouse/partner.As a result, the means test disregards for Carer's Allowance are now the highest disregards in the Social Welfare system.It is also important to acknowledge that there are a range of other supports for carers provided by the Department which are not based on a means assessment.The Carer’s Support Grant can be claimed by carers regardless of their means or social insurance contributions. I increased this grant to €1,850, its highest ever rate.Carer's Benefit is a weekly payment based on social insurance contributions rather than a means test and is payable for a period of up to 2 years.Domiciliary Care Allowance is payable to a parent or guardian in respect of a child 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. As part of Budget 2024 we have increased the payment by another €10 bringing it to €340 per month.In addition, as part of Budget 2024, I established an Interdepartmental Working Group with the Department of Health and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to examine and review the system of means test for carers payments. I have asked this Group to report to me on the matter by Quarter 3 of this year.I trust that this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
Questions Nos. 8 and 9 answered orally.