Ms Deirdre Callis:

Most parents with children who have severe types of EB will qualify for a carer’s allowance. As my colleague, Dr. Hickey, said, one parent will also have to give up employment to become the full-time carer. A household that may have had two strong incomes prior will see one income fall to €200-odd a week. That creates a huge discrepancy between the parents’ current and previous earning capacity. I hope that answers the Senator’s question.