Means testing for the Family Carer’s Allowance could be abolished. 

The Regional Group of TDs is seeking cross-party support for a motion to replace the current system, with a non-means tested scheme, based solely on the needs of care. 

Deputy Denis Naughten believes the motion recognises the invaluable contribution of more than 500,000 family carers across Ireland.

The Independent TD for Roscommon/Galway claims means testing the Carer’s Allowance has left many carers on a financial knife-edge. 

“We’ve half a million carers right across Ireland who are managing on a day -to-day basis and there’s about 27,000 carers around the country at the moment who are caring full time, who are in receipt of the carers support grant but are not getting carers allowance,” he said. 

“Solely because they’re over the income levels to qualify for it.”

An elderly person being cared for.

The motion has the support of Family Carers Ireland and the organisation’s head of policy Catherine Cox described means testing as outdated and gender-biassed. 

“We really welcome this call to abolish the means test for family carers and we are calling on the Minister [to support the motion],” Ms Cox said. 

“We really do believe she will support this because she has brought in many positive changes over the last three years and we hope that she will continue to do that. 

“We hope to see real change in the upcoming budget and by 2027, we want to see the means test for carers allowance abolished.” 

The maximum weekly rate for carer’s allowance is €248 for those under the age of 66 caring for one person; for those aged 66 or older, the rate rises to €286.

Main image: A grandmother and granddaughter walking in a park. Image: chrisstockphoto / Alamy