Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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483. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the consideration that has been given to reforming the means test for carer’s allowance so that the carer is recognised in their own right, including individualisation with regards to the means test and reducing the amount of income of the spouse/partner that is taken into consideration when determining access to the payment and amount of payment received; if any full year costs, provisional or otherwise, are available on this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42607/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Government recognises the important role that carers play in Irish society and is committed to supporting them through a range of payments and services.

The annual Carer’s Support Grant, which is paid in respect of each care recipient, is not means-tested and is not taxable. The Grant was increased to €2,000 per year in Budget 2025, which is the highest rate at which it has been paid since it was first introduced in 1999. Budget 2025 also contained a once off payment of €400 for recipients of the Carer's Support Grant and this will be paid in the week commencing 11th November.

As part of Budget 2025, I also Increased the income disregard for Carer's Allowance to €625 (single) and €1,250 (couple).

Means tests are an essential component of the Irish social protection system – they help to direct scarce resources to where they are needed most. For social assistance schemes, such as Carer's Allowance, total household income is assessed as part of the means test.

Any proposals to change the means assessment formula for assessment of social protection schemes would have to be considered in an overall budgetary and policy context.