Ms Catherine Cox:

Government knows and we know that will not happen. Unfortunately, that care and love is taken for granted and carers are left unsupported.

The Deputy spoke of carer's allowance and reference was made previously to the difficulties carers have in accessing that, as well as the completely inadequate amount of that payment: €237 per week for somebody providing 24/7 care. We have lobbied for many years that a carer’s payment should be based on the care provided. We are looking for a participation income payment so carers are paid for the work they do and it is a just and fair payment. The pandemic unemployment payment was set at €350 per week because it was recognised people could not live on much less. At a minimum, the payment should be set at that and based on the needs rather than the means of a person. To look at the means not only of the family carer but of their spouse in terms of whether they get carer's allowance or not is outrageous and unfair. If we value and recognise the work family carers do, we need to compensate them appropriately based on the levels of care they provide.