41. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will grant full rate carer’s allowance to applicants in receipt of other social protection payments. [67665/26]

Generally under the single payment per person rule, people who qualify for multiple social welfare payments typically receive only the higher of the available options.

In recognition of the important contribution made by carers, an exception applies whereby a person who is receiving a primary social welfare payment and who is also providing full-time care and attention may receive a half-rate Carer's Allowance in addition to their main payment.  This arrangement applies to almost all weekly social welfare payments.

Currently, there are over 111,000 people in receipt of Carer’s Allowance at an estimated cost of more than €1.4 billion in 2026.  Of that total, 51,919 are receiving their full primary social welfare payment together with a half-rate Carer's Allowance payment.  Following the substantial improvements made to the Carer's Allowance means test in Budget 2026, the vast majority of these carers now receive the maximum half-rate payment.

This arrangement means that a person in receipt of Carer's Allowance who qualifies, for example, for the full State Pension on reaching age 66 and retains entitlement to a half-rate Carer's Allowance will see their weekly income increase from €270 to a combined pension and carer payment of €453.30 per week, an increase of €183.30 per week.

There are currently no plans to provide a full-rate Carer's Allowance in addition to another primary social welfare payment.  The Government's main policy focus in this area is the phased removal of the means test for Carer's Allowance, which is well underway.  This approach has been consistently advocated by family carer organisations.