Eugene Murphy (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will not repeat everything that has been said and I will be brief because we are all on the same page in supporting what the witnesses are trying to do. I do not want to sound in any way condescending to people but really and truly we all meet people, as I do in Roscommon and Galway, who cry because of carer's issues. The Chair knows, and I know from my in-laws, how frustrated people can get. It can drive people daft at times. Then they learn to stand back and see the appalling pressure they are under. We all recognise this.

I am glad Ms Duffy referred to the staff in Longford in the Department. They are excellent. I also deal with Roscommon County Council when emergency work has to be done on houses. The Chair and Deputy Kerrane also know how excellent it is. It has come on in leaps and bounds. Sometimes it could do with more money but it deals with people in these situations very quickly and urgently.

One thing we must all realise is that we are now in completely different times. Energy costs have put severe pressure on people such as the witnesses. The call for the means test to be abolished should be followed up quickly by the Government. It should be taken away. We are speaking about exceptional circumstances and people in very challenging circumstances. We are speaking about people who probably only get a few hours' sleep per night. Therefore, the costs of running their homes have increased significantly. As far as I am concerned we are now in a completely different place.

As members of parties we will bring forward the suggestions the witnesses are making to see what changes we can make. What are the two things we should prioritise for 2023? We will not get everything. I ask each of the witnesses what would be the two things they would now prioritise for us to try to get changed for 2023. All politicians recognise that Family Carers Ireland are exceptional people in fighting the case.

We deal with many groups, but this organisation is on the case constantly. They are people who are easy to deal with and they make their case. I know they respect our situation and we respect theirs. What two things would they prioritise?