Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Regional Group for bringing this worthy motion before us today. I will be supporting it 100%. There have been many promises in the past in regard to helping carers but they have fallen on deaf ears, so far. The nub of the problem is that means testing for carer's allowance will have to be abolished - full stop, no ifs or buts about it. There are other groups that should not be means tested either but this is solely about carers. We are asking that the means testing for this be abolished. We also hope that something will be done about respite for people. The Government will have to accede to the means testing request - no more ifs or buts about it. The money is there. The Government is squandering it in other places.

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