Carers 'hurt' by means test continuation, Dáil told

The Dáil has heard of the "hurt, rage and disappointment" carers feel over the continuation of the means test for the carers' allowance.

Verona Murphy from the Regional Group of Independents said carers very upset that the Government had not chosen to abolish the means testing in the Budget, even if the threshold has increased.

"They feel their worth hasn't been acknowledged," Ms Murphy told the Dáil.

Quoting Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys' words to her during the care referendum campaign, Ms Murphy said: "Fine Gael takes great pride in delivering a more modern, inclusive Ireland ... an Ireland that recognises that all families are different."

"The reality is we've never had a discussion about that failed referendum that cost us €20m," the Wexford TD said.

Ms Murphy asked why Minister Humphreys disregarded research by the National University of Ireland, Maynooth, around abolishing the means test.

Minister Humphreys said she could be accused of many things, but speaking out of both sides of her mouth was not something she normally did.

"Family carers pay a hugely important role, and I have been committed to supporting them in that role," the minister said.

Minister Humphreys said she met with carers' groups and the carers themselves regularly.

Read more: Budget 2025 - Increases in tax credits for carers announced

She said during her time as Minister for Social Protection she had stood up for family carers and the incredible and often unseen work they did.

The minister said there was now carers' benefit for self-employed people, and that the domiciliary care allowance was also increased.

She said the means test threshold of €625 per week and €1,250 for single and couple threshold meant the rate had been doubled the income limits for carers allowance.

She said almost 2,200 carers had benefitted from the State pension due to her work in the previous budget.

Minister Humphreys said she knew the means test was an issue for carers and that she had increased it.

Ms Murphy said the means testing of the household income meant that vulnerable women might not share in the household income.

"If their partner or someone else in that household is over the threshold, they need to beg for the money for a cup of coffee," she added.

Ms Murphy said carers provided a service worth €20bn to the State annually.

Minister Humphreys replied that "the carers welcomed the changes in the budget," adding that more carers would get the payment under changes in 2025.

She said substantial changes had been made, but that not everything could be done in one day.

Carers are 'unsung heroes' - McGrath

Independent TD Mattie McGrath said it was unacceptable that carers had to wait until next July to get the increases to the allowance announced in the Budget.

The Tipperary TD told the Dáil they were unsung heroes and he also called for the means test to be scrapped.

Minister Humphreys said she was fully committed to supporting carers.

She has set up an inter-departmental working group to examine the issue and it will report back before the end of the year.

Additional reporting Sandra Hurley