90. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update on plans to abolish the means test for the carer’s allowance, given the strong support for this in the programme for Government; to confirm if it will be included in budget 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32829/25]

Sentiment score: 0.24

I know the ground on carer’s allowance has been covered a lot, but the programme for Government contains a commitment on the abolition of the means test for carer's allowance during the Government's term. Will the Minister provide an update on where this now stands, on the work has been done on the costings or preparations and on whether we can expect progress or a first step in budget 2026?

Sentiment score: 0.47

As the Minister stated, more than 100,000 people are in receipt of carer's allowance. There are 500,000 carers, however, which means that 400,000 people are not getting benefits under the scheme. Will the Minister increase the disregard in the forthcoming budget? The means test hits families who are doing their best, often one-parent families or where a parent is working part time and might have some savings. It is outdated and creates huge hardship, especially for women. This is because the majority of carers are women. The current system penalises those who are trying to save for their future or manage their finances responsibly. It penalises prudence. This is not only a financial issue; it is also a matter of fairness and equality. The Minister mentioned cost concerns previously with estimates ranging from €600 million to €3 billion depending on eligibility. Has the Department done proper costings in the context of abolishing the means test? Will the Minister clarify the figures from which the Department is working? Have any equality or poverty impact assessments been conducted as part of this work to ensure that the most vulnerable are not disproportionately affected?

Sentiment score: 0.06

Carers are saving the State billions of euro. The highest figure we have seen for the amount involved is €3 billion. In any event, the savings being made are enormous. People provide care for children with complex needs, older people and family members with serious illnesses. They do so out of love and with very little support from the State. While the increases to income disregards are welcome, they are not a substitute for fully abolishing the means tests. Carers, as the Minister stated, are the backbone of our society, providing essential care the State would otherwise struggle massively to offer. The financial and emotional toll on individuals is immense and abolishing the means test would go some way to helping those families. Will the Minister provide a detailed plan for how the carer's allowance means test will be abolished? If he would give me a timeline for how it will be implemented over the course of Government's term of office, it would be appreciated.

Sentiment score: 0.20