evidence: Census 2022 records approximately 290,000 self-reported carers over 19 years of age, with the total having increased by 50%, to over 299,000, from 195,000 six years previously. The carers' organisation estimates there are more than 500,000 family carers in Ireland. This is 200,000 more than the official recorded figures contained in census 2022. Of course, it is acknowledged that there is uncertainty about how many people would meet the other conditions of the scheme, for example, providing full-time care, and the overlap between the census and the current recipients of the carer’s allowance payment. However, if it is the case that the number of carers is this high, it follows that the cost of abolition of the means test is also high. The Department has costed a potential inflow of the people who self-reported as carers in the census. Once the inflow is reckoned, the cost estimates rise to between €880 million and €2 billion a year. [...] The programme for Government also commits to extending free GP care to carers in receipt of the carer’s support grant. Since September 2018, individuals in receipt of either a full- or half-time carer’s allowance or benefit are automatically eligible for a GP visit card. As of 1 July 2024, more than 7,407 persons in receipt of either full- or half-time carer’s allowance or benefit have GP visit card eligibility. More than 2 million people, or more than 40% of the population, currently have access to free GP care through either the medical or GP visit cards.