Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)

We must acknowledge the role of carers throughout the length and breadth of the country. I acknowledge that certain progress has been made, but I am not convinced the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Brennan, has the commitment to go all the way and eliminate the means test for carers' allowance.

In this context, we have one of the richest countries in the world. The Minister has had much money available, and he has received a disproportionate share from the Minister for Finance in the last budget. Given the existing poverty and our record on combatting poverty, we cannot become complacent. We must get stronger, as the people we look after do not always have the strength and opportunity to represent themselves. Our test as parliamentarians is how we deal with the most vulnerable in our society. The Minister has gone some of the way, but more has to be done.

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