63. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to increase the weekly rate of Carer's Allowance Benefit to €325 to recognise the additional cost of providing fulltime care in a cost of living crisis. [67385/26]

The Government recognises the invaluable contribution made by family carers and has prioritised improvements in supports for carers in recent Budgets.  The Government has provided over €2.2 billion for caring income supports in 2026.

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

In January 2026, 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.  This compares to €254 for most weekly payments for persons age under 66 years.  For Carers aged 66 and over, the maximum weekly rate increased to €308.

While weekly payment rates have continued to increase, the Government's focus has been on reforming the Carer's Allowance means test.  This has been strongly advocated by family carer organisations. Significant increases to the income disregards have been delivered, with the weekly disregards now at €1,000 for a single person and €2,000 for a couple.  As a result of these changes, virtually all current recipients of Carer's Allowance now receive the maximum rate of payment.

The Programme for Government commits to progressively increase weekly carer payments and to significantly increase the income disregards for Carer's Allowance.  I am not in a position to divulge the status of current Budget discussions but I can confirm that the Government remains committed to addressing these issues.