Major increase to Carer's Allowance
The income disregard for the Carer's Allowance rose from €450 to €625 for single carers, and from €900 to €1,250 for carers with a spouse or partner yesterday (June 26).
The reform is set to extend eligibility for the Carer’s Allowance to more people, while many existing recipients will see an increase in their payments.
The change represents an 88 percent rise in income disregards since June 2022.
The move was made by Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary.
Welcoming the increase, Minister Niamh Smyth described carers as the "backbone of our communities" who provide "vital and often unseen support".
“Their tireless dedication deserves more than just words, it requires real, practical action,” said Minister Niamh Smyth.
In Cavan and Monaghan, there will be a significant increase in the number of carers receiving the allowance, furthermore, 153 carers currently receiving the allowance will see their weekly payments increase.
Speaking on the matter, Minister Smyth said the change is a "meaningful step that will ease pressure on families and acknowledge the crucial role carers have in our community.”
As announced in Budget 2025, these changes mean a carer in a two-adult household earning up to €69,000 will now receive the full Carer’s Allowance, while those with incomes up to €97,000 may still qualify for a partial payment.
From July, 99% of current recipients will qualify for the full-rate payment.
The Carer’s Allowance supports over 100,000 carers across Ireland. In 2025, spending on this allowance is expected to exceed €1.24 billion. In addition, the Department of Social Protection provides non-means-tested supports such as the Carer’s Benefit and the annual Carer’s Support Grant of €2,000, which was recently paid to more than 138,000 carers on June 5th.
“This is not the final step," she assured, adding that is it "real progress" towards her party's "commitment to abolish the means test for Carer’s Allowance.”
“I look forward to working closely with the Minister to continue strengthening support for our careers in the future," she concluded.