Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)

I thank Deputy Penrose for raising this issue in the House. As the able Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Social and Family Affairs, he has spent much time in bringing all representative groups concerned together to produce a report on the interests of carers. I welcome Deputy Brennan to the post of Minister for Social and Family Affairs. While it is a Ministry belittled by the media and others, it is a major one that looks after those most in need, from children to the elderly. I wish him well in his new post, not just for his own sake, but for those he serves.

Deputy Ring pointed out that the carer's allowance pays a little above the ordinary social welfare allowances. It is mean in that sense. We can all point to how little was paid in 1997 or 1990. However, in 1997 a reasonable family home cost £70,000 while today it costs €300,000. Now both partners in a marriage must earn an income to meet mortgage repayments, the cost of their children's education and all other needs. It cannot be ignored that society has changed and there are fewer people at home to look after elderly parents.

Carers need respite to get away for a few weeks. I know of an 88 year old widow, caring for her two adult handicapped sons, for whom the only available respite is by placing them in a home for psychiatric patients. This must be changed to ensure that those who care for 50 weeks of the year receive some break. Recently, I spoke to an individual, caring for a 31 year old son with cerebral palsy, who has never had a holiday in those 31 years. Today another individual approached me inquiring what help was available for the mother of a two and a half year old handicapped child who requires 24 hour care. Although the mother left her job when the child was born, she is not eligible for a carer's allowance, as her husband's income, while not high, is above the threshold. It has been argued that those who are financially secure do not need the carer's allowance. However, our contention is that the allowance is not an alternative to a secure and comfortable income but merely a small recognition of the contribution made. Carers need recognition of what they do as many must make large mortgage repayments.

The Minister claims the Government is a caring one. What about support for widowers and widows who must care for their late spouses or their own parents? An individual receiving a widower's or widow's pension can still keep his or her contributory pension while holding down a full-time job. However, if he or she must stay at home to care for a loved one, there is no second pension entitlement. The Joint Committee on Social and Family Affairs suggested such individuals should receive a half pension as some recognition. In a reply from the former Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Coughlan informed me such a move would cost approximately €10 million. With all due respect, Punchestown Equestrian Centre cost €15 million and many other schemes cost more.

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