Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The recent referendum has once again shone a light on the critical role carers play in our communities. In every corner of Ireland, there are family carers tirelessly devoting themselves to the well-being of their loved ones. In fact, family carers represent one in eight of the Irish population and have long been the cornerstone of care provision in this country. Whether it is caring for an ageing parent, a spouse with a chronic illness or a child with special needs, these remarkable individuals demonstrate unwavering commitment day in, day out. They navigate the challenges with grace, compassion and resilience, often putting their own needs and desires on hold to ensure the comfort and happiness of their family members. However, for too long they have been left behind without proper support from the State. The financial vulnerability imposed by the current means testing of the carer’s allowance has left many carers in uncertain financial situations, often dependent on their partner's income. For many carers who care for a child with additional needs, their caring role is likely to last for many decades, which has serious implications for their long-term well-being and financial security. This needs to end now. With an ageing population, it is estimated that the number of people living with life-limiting conditions will increase the requirement for carers yet we only have to read the state of caring report 2022, produced by Family Carers Ireland, to see the significant challenges faced by family carers, including the battle in accessing services and carers themselves feeling undervalued by society.

Family Carers Ireland plays a vital role in advocating for the rights and welfare of family carers across the nation. It tirelessly campaigns for better resources, increased awareness and enhanced support services to empower family carers and alleviate their burdens. Its advocacy efforts serve as a beacon of hope for countless families, offering reassurance that they are not alone in their journey. However, we need to step in. In a bid to address the pressing needs of family carers across Ireland, my colleagues in the Regional Group and I have tabled this motion calling for the abolition of means testing for carer’s allowance.

The means test for carer’s allowance is no longer fit for purpose and is significantly gender-biased. Despite improvements in recent years, the carer’s allowance means test remains one of the most contentious issues among family carers. In census 2022, 57% of carers specified that they are juggling work with caring responsibilities; however, thousands of full-time family carers do not qualify for carer’s allowance due to modest household incomes. This undervalues the full-time work they provide. There are 51,207 carers in receipt of the full rate of carer's allowance, with 45,111 carers in receipt of the half-rate carer's allowance as they already have another social welfare payment. A total of 6,481 full-time carers received the carer’s support grant as a stand-alone payment in 2023 as they do not satisfy the carer’s allowance means test.

Carers are discouraged from work or study of more than 18.5 hours. Carer’s allowance is the only social welfare payment where recipients are expected to provide full-time care - 35 hours - and in return receive just €16 more than the basic social welfare rate. It was inadequate even before the cost-of-living crisis and is especially so given that households caring for a child with a profound disability face additional weekly costs of up to €244. The proposal to abolish means testing for carer’s allowance and establish a non-means-tested participation income by 2027 aligns with calls from Family Carers Ireland, which has long advocated for reforms to better support carers. This measure would mark a significant step forward in acknowledging and supporting the vital work of family carers in our society.

As we reflect on the invaluable contributions of family carers, let us reaffirm our commitment to supporting them in every way possible. We are therefore calling for the establishment of a high-level official group to scope out and develop a road map for the delivery of a non-means-tested participation income for family carers, thereby abolishing the means test completely by 2027. People looking after their ageing parents, a spouse with a chronic illness or a child with special needs have a tough job. It is a vocation. It is love. There is not a day in my constituency office when somebody does not come in to complain about this. We have families we cannot get carers for and there are people willing to do the job. Look at the money these carers have saved the Government over the past number of years. A figure of €20 billion has been mentioned, which is a serious amount of money. These people need help. There are extra costs. In fairness, the Minister for Social Protection has done a good job over the past number of years but we need to do more. I ask the Minister of State to listen to us.

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