John Carty (Mayo, Fianna Fail)

I too wish the Minister well, and I welcome him to his new portfolio. I know he will play an important part in looking after the interests of people on social welfare in a caring way.

Parents play a major role in the care of the elderly, often getting very little thanks for their efforts. The carer's allowance was first introduced in 1990. There have since been vast increases in payments, while other benefits have also been extended in order to improve the lot of the carer. In extending those benefits, the Government has also improved the lot of those being cared for.

Most old people prefer their own homes in their old age, rather than having to go into residential care. Nursing homes provide a good service and play an essential role in care for the elderly. However, for a great number of elderly people, home care is best, and home is where they are most contented. Many improvements could be made in this area over time.

The report, The Position of Full-Time Carers, which I was happy to hear the Minister has already read, contains many good recommendations. This report was the work of the Joint Committee on Social and Family Affairs. I am delighted the Chairman of the committee, Deputy Penrose, and five of its members are present in the House. The committee met the representatives of many bodies covering the entire structure of caring. They are reasonable people who do not want much. However, certain demands ran through their submissions such as recognition for their work, abolishment of the means test for carer's allowance, increased resources for home care and, where persons who provide care are recipients of widow's or widower's pensions, that 50% of the carer's allowance should also be paid. These are but some of the recommendations I bring to the Minister's attention. Carers should have recognition for their work and receive adequate training, on a national basis, to help them deal with those they care for. They should have all the back-up services they need and information packs on those services should be sent to each carer.

On the abolishment of the means test for carer's allowance, provision has been made in successive budgets for a substantial increase in the disregards. From April 2004 the weekly income disregard was increased to €250 for a single carer and €500 for a couple. The effect of this increase ensures that a couple with two children earning a joint income of up to €29,328 can qualify for the maximum rate of carer's allowance. A similar couple with an income of €46,384 can still qualify for the minimum allowance, the free schemes and the respite care grant.

The means test applied to the carer's allowance is one of the most flexible tests in terms of the assessment of household income. If abolished, it would cost €180 million per annum, a costing which is currently being reviewed in light of new CSO and departmental data. If the Minister continues this progress regarding the means test in the forthcoming budget, it would greatly alleviate the situation. I am sure he will take this into consideration and raise the thresholds.

I feel strongly that resources should be made available for home care and a home based subvention should be established. The outgoing Minister stated this was the responsibility of the Department of Health and Children. The Minister should liaise with that Department, which is encouraging health boards to introduce personal care packages for older people as an alternative to long-stay residential care. Personal care packages are specifically designed for the individual concerned and could include the provision of a home help service, a home care grant payment, attendance at a day care centre and other services. These packages allow older people and their carers the option to live in their own homes rather than entering long-stay care.

The Department of Social and Family Affairs, together with the Department of Health and Children, should monitor the progress of these projects and should discuss the role the carer's allowance and benefit schemes might have in this context. The amount of money spent on subvention by health boards is extremely high. If the two Departments got together and produced a package whereby a subvention would be made available to home carers, a substantial saving could be made and a better service provided for the elderly.

I wish the Minister well and hope he takes on board the points made. I welcome the opportunity to discuss the motion put down by the Labour Party. I hope it will emerge in the course of the debate that the Government has done more for carers since 1997 than any other Government.

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