Carer's allowance review
Deputy Nolan called for an urgent review of carer's allowance, abolition of the means test, and an increase to €325 per week. The Minister praised carers, said means-test changes were already made in the last budget, and said the issue will be considered before the next budget.
I want to ask the Minister about the carer's allowance. Will he commit to an urgent review of the carer's allowance with a view to abolishing the means test element of it? In the meantime, will the Minister and Government commit to increasing the weekly rate of carer's allowance to €325?
Our carers are really struggling, as they have been for some time. The fact they save this State €20 billion needs to be taken into consideration. If our carers are not supported, then the burden is going to come back onto the Government. We need to do this review and increase their allowance to €325 per week. Will the Minister agree to this?
Comment on this
I fully agree with the Deputy about the incredible role our carers play. We can never properly recognise the work they do. In the previous budget, we did make the first changes in the means test in about 14 years, which was a step forward. All of this will be considered in the lead-up to the budget. Of course, there are issues arising from the Pensions Commission that are directly relevant to carers, and that matter is also under active consideration at the moment. It is an issue that is close to my own heart and we are anxious to make progress on it.