During last year’s general election campaign, I met many carers who were not eligible for the carer’s allowance because their partners either got overtime or a promotion. Many people felt it demeaning that their role in caring and the job they were doing were dependent on their partners’ incomes.

I welcome the increase in the income disregard. If I am correct, this means a couple can earn up to €108,000 per year, excluding PRSI, and still receive the carer’s allowance. That will substantially address the concerns of a huge number of people who have fallen into the category I have mentioned. However, the principle still remains that their income or the job they are doing is dependent on the income of their partners.

This is a fantastic and really important step forward. I urge the Government to continue to move towards the total abolition of the carer's allowance means test and to replace it with a payment for caring to ensure the dignity of the role is respected.

I thank Deputy McAuliffe very much for raising this issue. We took an important step forward in this budget in moving towards the abolition of the means test with the increases in the thresholds to €1,000 for a single person and €2,000 for a couple. This is to show intent. We have not reached the destination yet. That destination is to abolish the means test. That is what we intend to do, working with colleagues, during the lifetime of this Government.