Means test for Carers Allowance labelled 'deeply unfair'

Michael Bolton

The means test for the Carers Allowance is being labelled "outdated, inequitable and deeply unfair."

The Social Democrats are supporting a Sinn Féin motion in the Dáil, which calls for the limits around the allowance to be scrapped.

Budget 2025 saw the means test increase slightly, with 625 euro of a single person's weekly income now disregarded, rising to 1,250 euro for a couple.

Social Democrats TD, Gary Gannon, says hard-working people are missing out on entitlements because of an arbitrary system.

"Carers shouldn't have to worry about the threshold, the limits and eligibility criteria that don't recognise their unique and pressing needs.

"What we need is a universal, non-means tested carers income, that supports the contribution of every carer in Ireland regardless of their household income."

In March, Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys, announced the establishment of a working group to look into the payments carers can receive.

Junior Minister for Social Protection, Joe O'Brien, says they will take that group's recommendations onboard, before deciding on the means test.

"The outcome of this work, and other work in the department around means testing generally will help any further decisions regarding changes to social welfare payments including carers allowance.

"The government has done a lot to improve carers payments in our time. While we recognise more needs to be done, whatever we do we need to make sure is affordable and sustainable."