Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)

It is as simple as that. Those who encounter such difficulties — those who care for children and young adults with disabilities — are keen that their voices should be heard. They want to be able to come out in force to show the Government of the day, regardless of its composition, that this issue needs to be addressed. Politicians are sometimes not concerned by issues which affect small numbers of people, but they are genuine issues.

I should have started my contribution by congratulating the Minister, Deputy Brennan, on his appointment. I did not have the opportunity to do so last week — I think we were both busy. The Minister has an opportunity to do something about the problems faced by carers. When one is in such a position, one should take one's opportunity. If one examines the history of politics in Ireland, one will find that the grand events are not those most remembered. Those who are remembered are those who introduced particular services and facilitated people to live their lives in a better and more comfortable way. I refer to people like Noel Browne, services like free travel and events such as the divorce referendum. Such people and such policies stick out in people's minds. The Minister can help carers to have a life, to enjoy some free time and to have some type of personal space.

Some striking figures are relevant to this motion. Some €190 million has been spent on carers, but €500 million has been spent on greyhounds and horses. One has to wonder where the Government's priorities lie. It is clear that it does not prioritise investment in people. A survey asked elderly people if they would prefer to spend the final years of their lives in a secure and nursing home where they can be happy that everything is done for them or in their own communities. Approximately 97% of those who responded said they would prefer to stay in their own communities, as long as they were given the necessary supports, such as the assistance of carers. It is not as if an impoverished country is being asked to provide massive amounts of money. As one of the wealthiest countries in Europe, Ireland can afford to make the necessary changes and should do so.

I heard many arguments over many years against giving equal pay to women. It was argued that employers could not afford it and IBEC was said to be outraged by the possibility, but it has become a reality. We can afford it. While women may not be at the exact same level as men, it is no longer argued that employers cannot afford it. Not only can the Government afford to pay carers and to abolish the means test for carer's allowance, it must do it. We cannot afford not to do so.

I wish to discuss the simple case of a carer whom I met. Given that we represent people at all levels, I am sure the Minister and other Deputies have encountered similar cases. I refer to the case of a woman aged 83 who was caring on her own for her 85 year old husband. She did not receive any help from the State as the health board did not want to know. Her daughters did what they could but were working at that time. She cared for her husband until he was institutionalised after he broke his hip when he fell out of bed. He died a year later. We cannot afford to let such things happen again. Carers are a vital part of what makes this country a community. The means test has to be abolished to allow such people to care for others with dignity.

The mother of a friend of mine developed Alzheimer's disease when my friend was between the ages of 15 and 24. My friend did her best to care for her mother until she had to go into full-time care. Her mother died shortly afterwards, when my friend was about 28. My friend always said she felt cheated that she felt under tremendous pressure during the last few years of her mother's life. She told me that the pressure related as much to finances as it did to having to care for her mother. One will hear such stories over and over again.

I am convinced the Labour Party has a different attitude to this issue, as it has to other social issues. Perhaps the Minister will surprise us all by demonstrating a different attitude towards carers. It may be that we are all misjudging him. Maybe the changes he will introduce to make people's lives more liveable will be remembered as part of the history of Irish politics.

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