Press release
Minister Humphreys announces establishment of an Interdepartmental Group to examine means tested payments to Family Carers
From Department of Social Protection
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Social Protection
Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, has today announced the establishment of an Interdepartmental Group with the Department of Health, tasked with looking at the area of means tested payments to family carers.
The work of the Interdepartmental Group Working Group will be informed by a broader review of means testing currently underway in the Department of Social Protection. The work of the Interdepartmental Group will also be considered within the context of the National Carer's Strategy, led by the Department of Health.
The group will also examine proposals on financial supports for carers that have been raised by, among others:
Announcing the establishment of the Interdepartmental Group today, Minister Humphreys said:
“I recognise the hugely valuable work being carried out by family carers across the country. Since my appointment as Minister for Social Protection, I have introduced a number of measures to enhance supports for carers including:
“Prior to my appointment as Minister, there had been no changes to the Carers Allowance means test since 2007. I have made significant improvements in recent budgets which will mean from June this year, a couple can have weekly earnings of €900 and up to €50,000 in savings and still qualify for the full Carers Allowance payment. This will ensure that thousands more carers will qualify for a payment.
Minister Humphreys continued:
“I recognise however that no matter where I draw the line on the means test, there will always be some families who fall outside the limits. The case I see most frequently is where a mother has to give up her job to provide care for a child with special needs but because of her husband’s income, she does not qualify for a payment.
“I believe this is wrong and so as part of Budget 2024, I announced my intention to establish an Interdepartmental Working Group with the Department of Health to examine and review the entire system of means test for carer’s payments. That work is now underway and I expect the group to report back later this year with its recommendations”.
The main income supports to carers provided by the Department of Social Protection are Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance and the Carer’s Support Grant. Spending on these payments is expected to amount to over €1.7 billion this year.
Over the last number of budgets, significant improvements to the payments for carers, as well as specifically the means test for Carer's Allowance.