1994. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated projected cost of allowing those in receipt of the State pension to retain a full rate carer's allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56684/26]

Under the single payment per person rule, people who qualify for multiple payments from my department typically receive only the higher of the available options.

However, an exception applies in the case of carers.  The half-rate Carer’s Allowance was introduced to support people who are already receiving a social welfare payment and who also provide full-time care.  This arrangement allows people receiving certain welfare payments to retain their primary payment and receive up to a half-rate Carer’s Allowance, depending on their means.  For example, a person entitled to the State Pension can transfer to that payment and continue to receive up to a half-rate Carer’s Allowance.

Following Budget 2026, a person receiving Carer’s Allowance who qualifies for the full Contributory State Pension can, upon reaching age 66, move from a €308 per week Carer’s Allowance to a combined payment of €453.30 per week, an increase of €145.30 per week.

Alternatively, upon reaching pension age, the carer may choose to remain on full Carer’s Allowance, which will be €308 per week for caring for one person, or €462 per week for caring for two or more people.

The Department’s Pensions Office advises people applying for the State Pension on the most financially beneficial option available to them.

Additionally, the Department provides non-means-tested financial supports for carers, including the annual Carer’s Support Grant.  Budget 2025 increased this Grant by €150 to €2,000 - its highest ever level.

There are currently over 108,900 people in receipt of Carer’s Allowance and the cost of this scheme in 2026 is estimated at over €1.4 billion.

There are currently 17,247 recipients of the State Pension who are receiving a half-rate Carer’s Allowance.  Of that cohort, 440 are caring for two or more people and receiving an enhanced rate of Carer’s Allowance.

The estimated annual cost of providing State Pension recipients with an additional full rate Carer's Allowance rather than a half-rate payment would be in excess of €548.1 million, representing an additional estimated cost of €138.9 million.

It is important to note that this costing is an estimate based on administrative data.  It takes no account of year-on-year increases in recipients or increases in rates of payment.

The Programme for Government commitments in relation to family carers will continue to be advanced over the lifetime of the Government, having regard to the overall policy and budgetary context.