Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

This committee is willing to work with any committee to progress the issues we have come across here. I know that next month we will have a meeting with the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine specifically to deal with issues regarding carers involving departmental officials. We are willing to work with every committee in order to facilitate these issues.

Some members had to leave and they have sent me messages which I wish to put on the record. Deputy Joan Collins had to go to another meeting. She wished to thank Mr. Douglas, Ms Ryan and Ms Budayova for their testimonies. They have made a powerful case for fundamental changes that are needed for carers. She wishes to thank Family Carers Ireland for its proposals.

Senator Garvey also indicated she had to leave. She has read all the correspondence and it seems to her that the bottom line is that we need to increase the carer's allowance. If the means test is to stay, it needs to be raised beyond the current threshold. She wanted to ask if it is true that carers' work in the home is not recognised as work, in that they only qualify for a non-contributory pension, a position she believes to be unsatisfactory. The committee and the Pensions Commission have made recommendations on the pension issue. Hopefully we will see some positive progress on it soon.