Carer’s allowances are set to increase significantly next week, providing much-needed support to carers across Donegal.
Local Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher has welcomed the increase.
He stated, “Carers are the backbone of our communities, offering invaluable and often unseen support to our loved ones, friends, and neighbours.
“Their unwavering dedication deserves more than just recognition; it demands tangible, practical support.”
From Thursday, July 3rd, Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary will implement an increase to the income disregard for the Carer’s Allowance.
The weekly disregard will increase from €450 to €625 for single carers, and from €900 to €1,250 for carers with a spouse or partner.
This change will broaden eligibility for the Carer’s Allowance, allowing more individuals to qualify. Furthermore, existing recipients will likely see an increase in their payments.
This reform represents an 88% rise in income disregards since June 2022.
In County Donegal, a significant increase in the number of carers receiving the allowance is anticipated. Additionally, 147 current recipients will see their weekly payments increase.
Deputy Gallagher further stated, “We all acknowledge the critical role carers play in our county and country. It is essential that their invaluable work is properly recognised and supported.
Starting Thursday, 147 families in Donegal currently receiving Carer’s Allowance will benefit from this change to the income thresholds, while others will now become eligible for the Allowance for the first time. This is a meaningful step that will ease financial pressure on families and acknowledge the crucial role carers have in our community.”
As outlined in Budget 2025, these changes mean that 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 will qualify for a partial payment. From July, 99% of current recipients will qualify for the full payment rate.
The Carer’s Allowance supports over 100,000 carers across Ireland. In 2025, spending on this allowance is projected to exceed €1.24 billion. The Department of Social Protection also provides non-means-tested supports, such as the Carer’s Benefit and the annual Carer’s Support Grant of €2,000, which was recently distributed to more than 138,000 carers on June 5th.
“This is not the final step, but significant progress towards Fianna Fáil’s commitment to abolish the means test for Carer’s Allowance,” Deputy Pat ‘The Cope’ Gallagher stated. “I look forward to collaborating closely with the Minister to continue strengthening support for our carers in the future.
“We understand that carers across Donegal deserve more than just gratitude; they need practical support. Therefore, we are taking action and delivering meaningful improvements. This increase is part of our ongoing commitment to supporting the essential work carers do in homes and communities every day.”
‘Carers deserve more than words’ – Deputy Gallagher as allowances to increase was last modified: June 27th, 2025 by
