Ms Catherine Cox:

They do more. As they get older, they are most often caring for an adult or a spouse. The care intensifies and gets to be more as the years go on. It is a really important issue for thousands of carers. I think the half rate was brought in by Séamus Brennan in 2007. It was very welcome in that carers were recognised, but it is now outdated. We need to support carers and value what they do. If we get a participation income for carers, it will take away that problem because they will be entitled to their pension and a payment in their own right for the work they do.