Ms Catherine Cox:

I think there might be an issue with the employer because if somebody is on carer's benefit they are entitled to go back to their position. There may be an issue there but not one that could not be overcome. The first thing that often happens when somebody goes onto carer's benefits is that they take a huge financial hit because, having been on a salary, suddenly they are trying to live on €237 a week. That is the first issue. It is like they fall off a financial cliff. After the two years are up, many family carers end up going onto carer's allowance. If they are eligible for and getting carer's allowance, they have the contributions towards their pension. That is where the means test comes in. If they are not eligible, they could potentially lose out.