It could cost the State up to 2 billion euro to remove the means test around the Carers Allowance.

 It comes after Sinn Fein and other opposition parties called on the Government to scrap the requirements around receiving the payment.

Family Carers Ireland estimates the 500 thousand family carers across the country save the State around 20 billion euro.

Fianna Fail Junior Minister, James Browne, says we have to be honest about the figures involved...