'Determination' to scrap carer's allowance means testing during lifetime of Government, minister says

The Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary has said the Government will “get rid of” means testing for the Carer's Allowance, but it has to be done on a "sustainable basis".

Social protection minister  Dara Calleary has said the Government will “get rid of” means testing for the carer's allowance, but it has to be done on a "sustainable basis".

Speaking on RTÉ radio's Morning Ireland, Mr Calleary said there is a "very clear determination here" that means testing for the carer's allowance will be eliminated during the lifetime of this Government.

However, Mr Calleary said he has "other priorities" to focus on first following the announcement of Budget 2027.

“I want to ensure that existing carers are paid for," said Mr Calleary.

“That has also been one of the additions of the increase of the means, is that many existing carers have had their payments increased.

“Increasing the main payments by €10 a week is an investment of €750m,” he added.

The minister said that a couple earning €126,000 a year from next July will get “a full carer's payment”, with a couple on €155,000 getting a partial payment.

“I have increased the thresholds by 84% in my first two budgets," said Mr Calleary.

The minister also said the introduction of the country's first permanent cost of disability payment - standing at a lump sum of €500 - is only "a start" on what's to come in future Budget discussions.

"There's never been a permanent cost of disability payment before, previous ones were temporary and they were subject budget to budget," said Mr Calleary.

"It's a start – I've just finished the negotiation for Budget 2027, I'm not going to commit to anything for Budget 2028, but the real discussion will be if there will be different levels to the payment.

"We are expanding now one payment at a time when other countries are restricting disability payments."

Mr Calleary further defended the €3 increase in the weekly living alone allowance saying it was now €25 per week.

"The €3 increase will cost in the region of €40m. The living alone allowance is an investment next year and it's also in addition to those on pensions,” said Mr Calleary.

“I've also made changes for single people over the age of 66, I’ve increased the availability of the fuel allowance.

“For a single person, the means test fuel allowance has gone from €27,700 to over €33,000.

"That would bring 10,000 more single people into the fuel allowance.” 

Mr Calleary said the fuel allowance will be paid over 28 weeks this winter.

"What we're trying to do is trying to assist with costs, but we've been very clear, we cannot assist with every cost,” said Mr Calleary.

"We've tried to get money back into peoples pockets."