Independent TD Carol Nolan has said that Budget 2025 will bring ‘more darkness than light’ without significant reform of the Carer’s Allowance income assessment criteria.
The Laois Offaly deleputy said the issue is being raised with her on a daily basis ahead of Budget 2025 on Tuesday:
“I have repeatedly called on the Minister for Social Protection to increase the weekly carer’s allowance income disregard to €1,250 (for couples) and €625 (for single carers) in Budget 2025, with a similar increase in Budget 2026 along with the full abolition of the means test and the introduction of a family carer payment by 2027,” she said.
“Unfortunately, the current weekly income disregards have only increased €450 for a single person, and to €900 for carers with a spouse/partner. At this rate a substantial number of those caring for loved ones on a 24/7 basis will have to wait years before they are eligible to be brought into the safety net of this supporting payment.”
“That is totally unacceptable in the current financial climate and particularly when the exchequer is overflowing with rivers of cash. If we cannot offer these people a financial lifeboat in such circumstances when will be able to do it?”
“My engagement with the carer representative organisations has made it absolutely clear to me that systemic reform of the entire carer’s payment regime is badly overdue. This Budget must be the opportunity in which such reform is brought about,” Deputy Nolan said.
In their Budget 2025 submission, Family Carers Ireland said it sought the full abolition of the means test and the introduction of a Family Carer Payment by 2027.
They also called for an increase the 18.5-hour ceiling for people in receipt of Carer’s Allowance who want to undertake training or education, while providing full-time care.