Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

Further to the Minister's reply to Deputy Stanton's questions, is he not aware of cases throughout the country where young family members have to care for the entire family due to tragic circumstances experienced by parents? Is it not long past time to recognise their efforts and bring the limit to below 18 years of age where it is evident that the person giving the care is capable of doing so?

Can the Minister indicate to the House, in anticipation of the budget, the extent to which he has costed the expense of providing payment to all carers throughout the country? If he has not done this, why not?

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