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DURING LAST YEAR’S general election campaign, disability services and support for carers became a flash point that political parties were keen to capitalise on.
All of Ireland’s main political parties, including Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, committed to abolishing the means test for the carer’s allowance.
One of the standout moments of the election campaign came when Tánaiste Simon Harris had a testy exchange with carer Charlotte Fallon in a supermarket in Kanturk, which prompted a conversation about the treatment of carers in Ireland.
After Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael re-entered government with the Regional Independents, they made a commitment in the Programme for Government to “significantly increase the income disregards for Carer’s Allowance in each Budget with a view to phasing out the means test during the lifetime of the Government”.
‘Income disregards’ refers to the amount of money a person can earn per week while still qualifying for the Carer’s Allowance.
The Carer’s Allowance is a weekly payment from the Department of Social Protection to people who care for someone because of their age; an illness; or a disability.
The payment is means-tested, which means that a person’s income and assets are taken into account by the Department when determining if they qualify for the payment.
In 2025, the expenditure on the Carer’s Allowance scheme is estimated to be over €1.2 billion. There are currently 100,853 recipients of Carer’s Allowance.
As part of last year’s Budget, the income disregard was increased from €450 to €625 for a single person and €900 to €1250 for carers with a spouse/partner. This took effect from 3 July 2025.
Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary said this change will make the scheme more accessible to people who previously did not qualify.
The increase in the disregard means that 5,280 current recipients will receive a higher payment.
As a result of this, the Department says 99% of existing Carer’s Allowance recipients will now get the full rate of their entitlement.
However, many people who are caring for a loved one say this does not go far enough.
Family Carers Ireland is appealing to the government to increase the income disregard to €750 for a single person and €1500 for a couple in this year’s Budget.
The organisation also wants to see the payment increased from €260 to €325 per week.
With approximately three months to go until the Budget, for now, it remains unclear what approach the Social Protection Minister will take.
What we do know is that, in line with the Programme for Government commitment, there will be a further increase in the income disregard.
Responding to a PQ on the matter last week, Minister Calleary said: “It is important that we make progress in a way that is sustainable and which does not unduly limit our scope to support other vulnerable groups in society.”
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I’ll believe it when I see it.
Means testing a family who helps to prevent another person from going into care who most probably paid taxes all their lives.
A base amount should be agreed as standard. Why call it an allowance if it’s not.
People who have worked all their life should be shown a little respect and consideration as should the carers who give up their jobs to take care of them.. unfortunately the people who make these decisions walk away with big lump sums and big pensions and won’t have many worries..just make it happen.
Was treated very badly on this issue. Applied and got an answer of no after ONE YEAR of caring for an ailing mother. I was assesed weekly on a monthly income. Appeal was lost. Used up all my savings. Mother has since passed. I’m broke and furious. Disgraceful system.
@lastfewchocices: sadly, your tale is all too commonplace……… A very adversarial so called ‘ system ‘
@Buster Lawless: you know the real kick in the teeth was that the day after I made my application they took her living alone from her. Took 24 hours for that. Utterly disgusted. I’ve worked 35 years and paid tax. She worked 55 years and paid tax. And neither of us ever claimed anything. Am sick over it.
So many of us caught in the situation that we had to give up work to care for a family member but don’t meet the criteria still. So effectively go from 2 wages to 1 with no recognition at all of sacrifices and work undertaken to care for our loved one 24/7.
@Niamh Lanigan: it’s a disgrace . How much money do we spen on ipas, foreign aid and bike sheds
There is no point increasing the the income disregard any further. You can only work a maximum of 18.5 hours per week on Carers payments and there are very few people who would earn €625 from 18. 5 hrs work. Increase the payment and include a qualified adult. Though I don’t think they’ll increase it from €260 to €350 somehow.
@Gearoid MacEachaidh: Most applicants have so much bureaucracy to jump through and when the intentional delay by the Gov’t dept ends the majority are declined or given half-rate.
@Mary BINTon: they’ll usually only be given half rate if they’re already on another primary payment. But you’re right, it takes too long to get onto the payment and there is too much red tape
Very strict about the carers allowance. Means tested. Can’t have a lot of money in the bank. I think it’s €15k. You can’t be in much employment either.
A country especially a republic should treat its weakest and most vulnerable with extra care – positive discrimination if you like.
Sadly, we are a long way from this in modern Ireland, but abolishing means testing for carers would be a significant step in the right direction. Make it happen…..
@Gerry Kelly: It’s time for the DSP to have access to Revenue records when applying for allowances. Cut out all the red tape. You’re either entitled to it or not based on your income. Simple as.
@Gerry Kelly: A pre election promise? Don’t make me laugh.
@Patrick MC Dermott: A promise from a politician? Don’t make Me laugh.
@Laois Weather: the point is the commitment to stop means testing for carers allowance is to give people the opportunity to stay at home and look after their disabled loved one even if they have saved up money in the bank.. Its actually held against you if you have savings and will stop you being granted carers allowances.. In my situation my wife got blanked for carers allowance because we had a few grand saved up in the bank.. It didn’t matter that we have a child with a profound disability that needs 24 hour care.. Though luck you were sensible and saved a few quid.. So we’re not letting you stay home and look after your child.. Its a loada shoite..
What’s happened was it was a pre election promise.
When will the UN “fair deal” scheme be sorted out…. Pay taxes your whole life.. Illness strikes and ya need to go into a home, the fair deal scheme slowly takes all your money and your gaf that you broke your bollix to buy and foolishly hoped to leave for you kids.. Its so wrong.. Leo Varadkar slipped up that time when he revealed FGs feeling on the topic that being that it’s not the states responsibility to look after our elderly..
Every single thing in the run up to the election was lies. If they blatantly lie in their election manifesto they should be thrown out and held to account. But that’ll never happen in this rip off banana republic. They can do what they like and idiots will still vote for them. And half the population won’t get off there asses and vote at all. I really do despair at this country.
Like most increased benefits.. This should not be available to people coming into the country who have not contributed or have 20 years residency.
We see with the UK that attractive benefits draw thousands of non working migrants.
It is why they travel through 5 safe countries to get to UK and Ireland as it is.
Create a two tier contribution based system or sink us in debt and dossers.
My parents both worked to retirement and my mother 10 years over denied careers,
My father had parkinsons, because he paid into private pension no medical card so everything was private medically and when not in the system ,get no resourses like phn, supplies just told buy pads,nappies, beds wheelchairs etc .
There were no careers for my mother who gave 25hr care to my Dad along with my sisters ,all lifting ,bringing to bathroom etc up until she was 80 when my Dad passed ,the care she gave him was unbelievable,2 times in hospital before he passed first time had serious fall and don’t no how long before found big gash on head,and confused, 2nd time more falls, left in soiled gear causing infections then developed Covid sent home and passed.They all seriously cripple now as a result
The campaigners lied. They always do. Why are people shocked when they don’t deliver? Same sh_t each time.
@S banter: From the same party pretending to be 2 parties.
have your say