Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

I welcome the positive changes made to the carer's allowance but, in view of the significant benefit to the Exchequer of easements in the means test for the allowance, will the Minister consider broadening eligibility for carers in the current year? The reward to the Exchequer is huge because those being cared for would require institutional care if they were not being looked after at home by carers. Will the Minister clarify the case for carers who have given much of their life to the work of caring for relatives but who have not given up PAYE employment? Does the Minister foresee a time when he can retrospectively award credits so that such people will in their own right be able to claim a pension in the future?

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