36. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update on phasing out the means test for the carer’s allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31305/26]

The Carer’s Allowance is the main scheme by which my Department provides income support to carers. Expenditure on Carer’s Allowance in 2026 is estimated to exceed €1.4 billion. At the end of March there were more than 106,000 carers receiving this payment.

The Programme for Government has set out a timeline which commits to significantly increasing the income disregards for Carer’s Allowance in each Budget, with a view to phasing out the means test during the lifetime of this Government.

This process is already underway. Last July the amount of weekly earnings disregarded was increased to €625 for a single person and €1,250 for a couple. As part of Budget 2026, I announced further changes to the Carer’s Allowance means test that will be introduced this July. The weekly income disregard will increase from €625 to €1,000 for a single person, and from €1,250 to €2,000 for carers who are part of couple.

Since June 2022, there have been cumulative increases to the disregards of over 200%. The single carer disregard has increased by €667.50 and the couple disregard by €1,335. These are significant increases.

The reforms in July will see more carers qualify for Carer’s Allowance. For example, a carer in a two-adult household with an income of approximately €110,000 will retain their full Carer’s Allowance payment and even with an income of €138,000 will retain a partial payment. In addition, those recipients on a reduced payment due to means will see their payment increase.

The recent improvements outlined are evidence of the Government’s determination to deliver on its commitment to phase out the Carer's Allowance means test over the lifetime of the Government. We will continue to progress this commitment in light of the prevailing budgetary conditions.