Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

We do not have unlimited resources and we are obliged to try to manage what resources we do possess in the best way possible. The Government has come a hell of a long way in recent years in the context of the supports provided for carers. The scheme has become much more flexible, it accommodates many more people and the income disregards relating to it are excellent. I will try to do more, as each budget approaches, to try to enhance the scheme in order to ensure more people benefit from it. There is, however, a fundamental difference between a scheme that is designed to support people on low incomes who are providing care and — this is ultimately what the Deputy wants to see happen — paying people to provide care. The latter would be a major step and would require careful consideration.

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