Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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698. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person in County Cork (details supplied) has been refused the carer's allowance; if the appropriate income disregard has been applied in this case; if the income was reduced by the €9.47 by which it currently allegedly exceeds the statutory limit if the person would be then entitled to a full carer's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45248/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Carer's Allowance is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.

Means are any income belonging to the carer and their spouse / civil partner / cohabitant, property (except their own home) or an asset that could bring in money or provide them with an income, for example occupational pensions, or pensions or benefits from another country.

An application for Carer's Allowance was received from the person concerned on 02 September 2024.

The claim was disallowed as the means of the person concerned exceeded the statutory means limit. The person concerned was notified of this decision in writing on 23 October 2024. They were also notified of their right to have the decision reviewed (where further information is available) or to appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.

When a person has means assessed above the disregard of €900.00 for a couple (€450.00 for a single person) it will start to affect the rate of carer's payment awarded. This is done on a sliding scale so the higher above the €900 the less the payment to the carer up to point where they are no longer qualifying for any carer’s payment at all (this is not done on a euro for euro basis). As the carer’s payment the customer is entitled to reduces, it comes off the main component first (€248). Once this is exhausted, it moves to the child support payment (€27). In the case of the person concerned, the weekly means is €288.25 and this exceeds the statutory means limit of €280.09 and therefore does not qualify for the payment of Carer's allowance.

However, should the person concerned circumstances change or they have a reduction of income in the future then it is open to them to re-apply for Carer's Allowance.

The means test for Carer’s Allowance has been significantly eased over the years and is now one of the most generous means tests in the Social Welfare system. As part of Budget 2025, the weekly income disregard will increase from €450 to €625 for a single person, and from €900 to €1250 for carers with a spouse / partner. These changes to the income disregard will take effect from July 2025.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.