Tipperary councillor calls for fairer carer’s allowance in upcoming Budget

The Government has signalled that it will not oppose a Social Democrats’ motion in the Dáil calling for an end to means-testing of the Carer’s Allowance. Dara Calleary, the Minister for Social Protection, noted that the coalition intends to phase out the test in due course, but he warned that such a reform would add €600m annually to the State’s bill.

READ NEXT: Tipperary welcomes new community special school for children with autism and complex needs

For Councillor Richie Molloy of Clonmel, the figures are less important than the families behind them. With more than 25 years’ experience as a Carer Support Manager with Family Carers Ireland, he has long argued that the system undervalues those who shoulder the burden of care.

“It’s welcome that the income disregard has been raised in recent years, which means more carers can now qualify,” Mr Molloy observed. “But the core issue is that the allowance itself remains just €260 a week. For those on the half-rate, the payment falls to €130.”

Rumours suggest that next week’s Budget will bring only a modest increase: €7 a week, or just €3.50 for half-rate recipients. To Mr Molloy, that is inadequate.

“During Covid, the Government rightly judged that €350 was the minimum a person needed to live on,” he said. “Yet carers, who face constant financial strain—particularly with rising costs of heating and other essentials—are expected to manage on far less.”

He is urging ministers to raise the weekly allowance to a more “reasonable” level, one that reflects both the economic realities and the value of unpaid care.

READ NEXT: Arrabawn Tipperary Co-Op joins study on bio-refineries to explore co-operative benefits