Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)

I appreciate the position and will make a relatively short contribution.

I will address the measures pertaining to the carer's allowance. Describing the budget as a "slap in the face" for family carers, the Carers Association, in its press statement, noted the following:

The Carers Association is appalled that all the assurances they received from back bench TDs that the Carers Allowance would not be touched in the Budget have come to nought. Family Carers who look after their loved ones in the home save the State an estimated EUR2.8 billion per year.

In return carers receive €212.00 per week, which is not sufficient in many cases to make ends meet. All of us will have seen the pressure many carers in our constituencies are under for various reasons, including financial reasons. The statement continues: "This latest cut of 3.8%, EUR8.05 per week, will have a real impact on the welfare of a very substantial proportion of family carers, already finding it difficult to meet everyday bills like heat and electricity, essential to maintaining the well-being of their loved ones".

We know how demanding the charges for heating and other essentials are and how they impact on the carer because of the loved one's circumstances.

Much strong language is used in the House at times. I will say merely it is extremely regrettable that the Government has reneged on its promise-----

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