86. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update on the implementation of the Programme for Government commitments in relation to carers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46024/26]

The Programme for Government is a five-year plan and the Government’s focus to date has been on the main concerns articulated by family carers themselves and their representative groups. The overarching priority has been the removal of the Carer’s Allowance means test and considerable progress has been made in this regard.

There were significant increases in July 2025 when the income disregards increased from €450 to €625 for a single person and from €900 to €1,250 for a couple. As part of Budget 2026, and with effect from next month July 2026, the Government is increasing the weekly income disregard by 60%, from €625 to €1,000 for a single person, and from €1,250 to €2,000 for carers who are part of couple. These will be the largest ever increases in the income disregards.

The impact of the increases will mean that those on a reduced payment due to means will see their payment increase. In addition, more carers will qualify for Carer’s Allowance, even those in households that are regarded as having relatively high incomes. 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 with an income of €138,000 will retain a partial payment

With respect to progressively increasing weekly carers payments, in January 2026 the weekly Carer’s Allowance and Carer's Benefit payment increased by €10 per week.

The Carer’s Support Grant increased by €150 to €2,000 in June 2025, its highest ever level. The Grant is paid in respect of each person being cared for. On the 4 June over 147,000 carers received the Grant.

As of January the Domiciliary Care Allowance payment increased by €20 from €360 to €380.

These improvements are evidence of the Government’s determination to deliver on its commitments to family carers, which we will continue to deliver on in an overall Budgetary and policy context.