I would like to acknowledge the key role that carers have in our society. The importance of their contribution is reflected in the range of significant supports provided by my Department to support carers in their caring role and ameliorate the financial burden of caring - indeed it is worth pointing out that the income supports that carers receive from my Department are among the highest rates in Europe.
The income supports for carers from my Department include carer’s benefit (CB), carers allowance (CA) (including half-rate carer’s allowance), carer’s support grant (CSG), domiciliary care allowance (DCA), household benefits package (HBP) (to carers residing with the recipient of care), and the free travel scheme.
CA is a means tested payment for people who are providing full-time care and attention to a person who needs it. Carers providing care to more than one person are entitled to a 50% additional payment.
I must point out that the income disregard and means test for carers is the most generous within the social welfare system and the amount of weekly earnings disregarded is €332.50 for a single person and €665 for a couple. A couple under 66 with two children, earning a joint annual income of up to €35,400 can qualify for maximum payment Carer’s Allowance while such a couple earning €59,300 will still qualify for the minimum rate.