Social welfare Ireland: Major changes to scheme with thousands to receive higher payment
Major changes were implemented to the Carer's Allowance this week that will make thousands of recipients eligible to receive higher rates of payment.
The changes to the scheme will also mean more Carers can now avail of Carer's Allowance. The weekly income disregard for Carer's Allowance is now increased by €175 to €625 per week for single carers, and by €350 to €1,250 per week for a couple.
The changes announced mean that 5,280 carers will receive an increase in their Carer's Allowance payment from this week. Meanwhile, the Carer's Benefit income limit will also increase from €450 to €625.
Announcing the introduction of the changes today, Minister Calleary said: 'I am delighted to announce these significant increases to the weekly income disregards for Carer's Allowance.
"One of the areas that carers have raised with me regularly is the Carer's means test. The changes I am announcing today will make the scheme more accessible to people who previously did not qualify.
"The increase in the disregards also mean that 5,280 current recipients will receive a higher payment from today. Consequently, 99% of existing Carer's Allowance recipients will now get the full rate of their entitlement.
"These means test improvements are in addition to changes made to the Carer's Support Grant, which was increased to €2,000, its highest ever level, and paid to 138,000 carers in June.
"The Programme for Government commits to significantly increase the income disregards for Carer's Allowance in each Budget with a view to phasing out the means test during the lifetime of the Government. The changes I am announcing today represent a significant step forward towards reaching this commitment.'
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RTÉ News
5 days ago
- RTÉ News
First kite of pre-budget season flew over Leinster House
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Speaking on Friday on RTÉ's Morning Ireland programme, Deputy O'Dea said given the limited scope for tax reductions in the upcoming budget, he would "like to see it [the €1.5bn in available tax cuts] more equitably divided", with "an increase in tax credits and tax bands in line with inflation" his priority. Asked if this is because it would be difficult to convince voters to support helping the hospitality sector first, given a disputed reputation for price gouging by some businesses in that sector, Deputy O'Dea said: "It's not just a question of would it be hard to sell to the public, it's would it be good for the economy." Responding to suggestions of friction in the Coalition over the situation, he added: "I wouldn't describe it as friction, people have different views and that's what Coalition government is about." 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The Journal
6 days ago
- The Journal
New legislation could allow people choose who inherits their estate, say tax group
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Irish Examiner
7 days ago
- Irish Examiner
High-security intelligence hub to be built at Garda HQ under long-delayed national upgrade
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