Family Carers Look to Budget 2026 to Deliver on Promises
Charity calls for a roadmap to abolish the means test and warns that respite is at breaking point.
Wednesday, 1st October 2025: With speculation mounting ahead of Budget 2026, Family Carers Ireland has said it looks forward to seeing how the Government will deliver on the promises made to family carers during the last election campaign and in the Programme for Government. Reports of increases to the Carer’s Support Grant and further easing of the means test for Carer’s Allowance are positive signals. However, family carers want clarity on how these initial steps will form part of a clear roadmap towards the full abolition of the means test and meaningful progress on respite.
Family carers provide round-the-clock care in the middle of a huge rise in living costs. Many are already skipping meals, cutting back on heating and falling into debt, while continuing to save the State billions through the care they provide every day. Yet thousands are still excluded from Carer’s Allowance because of the means test. Family Carers Ireland is pressing firmly for a timeline to phase the means test out completely, and to replace it with a fair and adequate payment that properly recognises the value of care.
Respite is at breaking point. Behind every statistic is a carer who may be caring 24 hours a day, seven days a week, often without a single break. The organisation is calling for recurring annual funding to provide meaningful emergency respite, alongside the development of a National Respite Strategy to ensure that breaks are not left to chance but are available to all. The charity’s most recent State of Caring survey found that 72% of family carers surveyed have never received any form of respite. For many, that means years without a proper night’s sleep, time to themselves, or the chance to care for their own health. Without proper investment, family carers will continue to be pushed to the brink, exhausted, overwhelmed and at breaking point.
Another outstanding commitment is the Carer Guarantee, designed to ensure every carer has access to a core basket of supports and services. Despite a clear pledge in the Programme for Government, the scheme remains underfunded leaving thousands of family carers without even the most basic assistance.
Catherine Cox, Head of Communications and Policy at Family Carers Ireland, said: “There has been a lot of speculation in recent weeks and some positive reports of potential progress. But family carers are looking to Budget 2026 as the moment when promises are delivered. The want to see a pathway to the abolition of the means test, as committed to in the Programme for Government, and real investment in respite so that they are not left caring day and night without relief. Too many family carers are struggling through the cost-of-living crisis with no break in sight. This Budget is the Government’s chance to show it is serious about delivering for family carers and recognising their extraordinary contribution.
“Budget 2026 will be remembered as the moment when Government either stood by carers and delivered on its promises or left them once again without the support they need.”
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About Family Carers Ireland
Family Carers Ireland is the national charity supporting the 500,000+ family carers across the country who care for loved ones such as children or adults with additional needs, physical or intellectual disabilities, frail older people, those with palliative care needs or those living with chronic illnesses, mental health challenges, or addiction. It provides a range of services and supports for family carers through its Carer Support Centres nationwide and through its National Freephone Careline 1800 24 07 24. See www.familycarers.ie for more information.