402. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Social Protection whether his Department has assessed the extent to which recipients of Carer’s Allowance are experiencing financial hardship as a result of increases in essential household costs, including electricity, heating, food, insurance and housing; and the measures that are available specifically to support carers experiencing such hardship or will they be addressed in Budget 2027. [66916/26]

The main income supports to carers provided by my Department are Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance and the Carer’s Support Grant. Spending on these payments in 2026 is expected to exceed €2.2 billion.

Carer’s Allowance is the main income support for carers, with almost 111,000 people receiving the payment at an estimated cost of over €1.4 billion this year.

The Government’s current main policy focus in relation to carers is the process of phasing out the means test for Carer’s Allowance. This policy approach is consistently advocated by family carer organisations. Significant improvements were made in July when the weekly income disregard increased from €625 to €1,000 for a single person and from €1,250 to €2,000 for carers who are part of a couple. The weekly earnings limit for Carer’s Benefit was also increased in July to €1,000.

These changes mean that virtually all those currently receiving Carer's Allowance are now receiving the maximum rate. The disregards for Carer’s Allowance remain, by far the highest income disregards in the social welfare system, and are higher than those for any other weekly payment.

The Programme for Government commits to progressively increasing carer payments. In January, there was a €10 increase in the maximum personal rate of Carer's Allowance and Carer's Benefit to €270 and €271, respectively, for carers aged under 66. For those aged 66 and over, the maximum weekly rate for Carer’s Allowance is now €308.

From January, the rate of Domiciliary Care Allowance increased from €360 to €380 per month. More than 65,900 families are currently receiving Domiciliary Care Allowance in respect of approximately 75,500 children.

The annual Carer’s Support Grant is available for all full-time carers and a grant is paid for each person being cared for. The grant was increased by €150 to €2,000 in June 2025, its highest ever level. This year in June, over 147,000 carers received the grant. It is not means tested and is non-taxable.

In addition to these carer income supports, people receiving Carer's Allowance may also qualify for other income supports from my Department.

The Household Benefits Package is available to help people with the cost of electricity or gas bills and the TV licence. It is available to everyone over 70. Carers in receipt of Carer's Allowance under the age of 70 may also qualify for the Household Benefits Package, provided they meet the relevant scheme conditions.

Fuel Allowance is a payment to help with the cost of heating during the winter months. Carer’s Allowance is a qualifying payment for Fuel Allowance once the other qualifying conditions for Fuel Allowance are also satisfied.

The Free Travel Scheme allows eligible people to travel, free of charge, on all public transport owned by the State. This includes bus, rail, Local Link and the Luas, with some exceptions. Carers who receive Carer's Allowance may also qualify for the scheme.

I continue to keep the range of carer income supports provided by my Department under review. Any further improvements, including payment rates, will be considered as part of the annual budget process having regards to costs and overall welfare improvements.