Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)

When talking about the liberalism of the means test for the carers allowance, is it not the case that the real story is that carers save the State an estimated €2.5 billion euro per year, according to the Carers Association? The cost to the State would be massively higher if those being cared for had to be looked after fully by the State. Is it not also the case that what the Minister calls the generosity of the scheme results from the fact that carers have extra financial burdens, such as increased electricity costs, extra washing and lighting costs, extra heating costs and extra medical bills, along with many other extra burdens that other people do not have to face? That is why we need a carer's allowance. Carers are already shocked that the Minister has cut the home benefits package. All they want is an assurance that given the contribution they make to the State and the welfare of sick and vulnerable people, the Minister will not cut their allowances further.

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