Major win for family carers as Westmeath council backs carers rent reform

Westmeath County Council has unanimously approved changes to its Differential Rent Scheme that are expected to reduce rents for council tenants in receipt of Carer's Allowance.

The motion, proposed by Independent Ireland councillor Paul Hogan, changes how Carer's Allowance is assessed when calculating council rent. The revised arrangements will come into effect under the council's new Differential Rent Scheme in February 2027.

Under the new scheme, half-rate Carer's Allowance will be fully disregarded when calculating rent, while full-rate Carer's Allowance will be assessed at the lowest social welfare rate. The changes are expected to reduce rental costs for a number of council tenants. The revised scheme will also extend the existing rent disregard for Disability Allowance to 16 and 17-year-olds, bringing it into line with the current disregard for Domiciliary Care Allowance for children under 16. Speaking after the motion was passed, Cllr Hogan said the decision marked "a significant step forward" for carers and their families.

"For years I have highlighted the injustice of treating Carer's Allowance as ordinary income for the purpose of calculating council rent. Carers save the State billions of euro every year through the invaluable care they provide, often at enormous financial and personal sacrifice. They should never have been penalised for receiving a payment designed to support that care," he said.

He said the rising cost of living had placed additional financial pressure on carers through increased transport, medical and day-to-day caring costs, adding that the changes would provide meaningful financial relief.

Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins TD welcomed the unanimous support for the motion, saying it demonstrated that similar reforms could be introduced by local authorities across the country.

"There is no reason why a family carer in Westmeath should be treated differently to a family carer in Cork, Donegal or Dublin. This model should now become the national standard," he said.

"This is a win for carers, a win for fairness and a win for common sense. Independent Ireland will continue to champion policies that recognise and reward the extraordinary contribution family carers make to our society every single day."