Johnny Guirke (Meath West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank all of the organisations that have come before the committee today for the tremendous work they do for the most vulnerable people in society and the people who need it the most.

To return to the cost-of-living crisis, we saw graphs earlier on how it affected the less well-off in society. It has very little effect on the wealthy when the Government provides one-off measures in budgets. This year, the Government is speaking about not having a cost-of-living package in the budget. What are the feelings of the witnesses on this and how detrimental will it be to people on the breadline and who need it the most?

With regard to the carer's allowance, we all felt the means test would be scrapped but it looks like that is on the long finger. We all know that carers save the State a fortune by keeping loved ones at home instead of in State care. They are doing an unbelievable job. It is very important that carers get a break through respite and are able to look after their own mental health. I know from dealing with people that they are at their wits' end. They never get a break; it is 24-seven. People applying for the carer's allowance must say that they provide care for 39 hours per week. We all know that most carers do so for 24 hours a day. If they do not put "39 hours" down on the form, they do not qualify for the full carer's allowance. Many people have been refused because they put down "five hours a day", just to put something on the form. We know they are providing care for 24 hours a day. It is very important that people get a break through respite and it is an area where I will definitely be fighting their corner.

With regard to the back to school allowance for children, how many children would be affected if the means test were removed? How many people would be in this position, including young people in State care? I thank the witnesses for all they do.